Construction of $35.9M Police Headquarters Makes Steady Progress

The construction of the $35.9 million Northern Divisional Police Headquarters is progressing on schedule, according to officials.

Groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art facility in Massade, Gros Islet took place on October 23, 2023, with construction officially starting on December 1, 2023. The facility, which is being built under a Build-Own-Lease-Transfer (BOLT) agreement between the Government of Saint Lucia and the National Insurance Property Development and Management Company Limited (NIPRO), will house the Criminal Investigations Department, Special Services Unit (SSU), Crime Scene Investigations and the Traffic Department.

The expected duration of the construction phase is 18 months. 

NIPRO Project Service Manager Ginger Beroo confirmed that key phases of construction are nearing completion. 

“The site is in two phases; we have administration and we have accommodations. Right now, we are at administration, which is where the bulk of the SSU, the police, traffic… [are] going to be operating from. We are at, maybe 80 to 85 per cent of the construction of the building,” she said.

While some external work, additional electrical installations, and imported materials are still pending, Beroo reassured that the project remains on track. 

“We do have some minor setbacks because a lot of the stuff is coming from overseas and so we’re waiting on that. But all in all, I believe that we are on time. We are set to finish,” she said.

Designed to enhance energy efficiency and climate resilience, the building is engineered to withstand severe weather conditions.

“This structure is built to withstand more than a Category 5 hurricane, as well as a higher magnitude earthquake. So, I would say you could look at it as a solid bunker. It would be one of the safest buildings in… Saint Lucia when it comes to stability,” Beroo explained.

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has expressed confidence in the project, stating that the facility will be one of the most modern police headquarters in the region, offering state-of-the-art amenities to support the operations of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.