BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has acknowledged that its headquarters in Basseterre is in need of infrastructural upgrades, as the aging building struggles to keep pace with modern demands.
The admission follows growing public scrutiny after a popular social media page published an article highlighting the deteriorating condition of the facility — including videos showing leaking roofs over the head of the top brass.
In a statement issued , the Police Force’s Public Relations Department confirmed awareness of the post, noting: “While we do not deny that the building, like many long-standing government structures, is in need of infrastructural upgrades, we take strong issue with the exaggerated and sensationalised portrayal of the situation, especially as it was evidently designed to discredit the hardworking men and women of this institution.”
The headquarters, located in the heart of downtown Basseterre, no longer meets the operational needs of the Federation’s premier law enforcement agency. Over time, the force has outgrown the facility — a fact underscored by the growing fleet of police vehicles. With limited space, some vehicles are housed at the training school, while others are illegally parked on sidewalks outside the headquarters, often on yellow lines and rarely ticketed.
According to the force, efforts to address these shortcomings have been ongoing.
"Over the past year, the High Command continues to advocate for the improvements of the working conditions of the Police Force. To date, several short-term remedial efforts have already been implemented. We aim for steady infrastructural improvements with each passing day, hence, we continue to work with relevant authorities to address these longstanding challenges," the statement added.
It remains unclear whether officers have previously raised formal complaints about the working conditions. However, the force expressed strong disapproval over the internal leak that exposed the state of the facility.
The Police condemned what they described as "the blatant act of sabotage committed by a serving officer who recorded and disseminated photos and videos of restricted areas within Police Headquarters".
They also criticized the outlet that published the materials, calling it as an "unlicensed online outlet with the clear intention of causing reputational damage to the Force”.
“Such conduct by any Police officer breaches all ethical and professional principles, and registers as deeply disrespectful to the many officers who serve with diligence and integrity in spite of sometimes tenuous working conditions. Without a doubt, a Police officer’s personal and professional sacrifices often border on the innumerable. We highly commend and deeply appreciate those who continue to endure and adapt in the fulfilling of their sworn national duty,” the statement continued.
In recent years, the government has undertaken efforts to address aging public infrastructure, particularly buildings that house critical services. These include the Joseph N. France General Hospital, which faced issues such as leaking rooms, and the Basseterre Courthouse, which was relocated to Fortlands after being closed due to mold infestation.
It now remains to be seen what the government’s position will be regarding the Police Headquarters — whether short-term repairs will be pursued or if a new facility will be constructed.
