Prosecutor ignored for promotion after completing studies with first class honours

A summary prosecutor has been ignored again for promotion two months after completing her studies with first class honours.

The Police Public Relations Department, on Wednesday, boasted about the achievement of acting Corporal of Police 594 Corlene Samuel, who completed her studies on July 12 with first class honours.

Samuel completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in management studies with a major in human resource management at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus.

She is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in forensic psychology at Monroe College (Kings Graduate School) in St. Lucia.    

The summary court prosecutor who is seconded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) began her university studies in Aug. 10, 2018.

However, she was among officers noticeably absent from the promotion list published on Friday and which lawyer Grant Connell told the Serious Offences Court on Monday is a joke.

Connell also noted that acting Corporal of Police Shamrack Pierre, who is the prosecutor at seven magistrates’ courts and who has been acting in that rank for more than six years also did not make the promotion list.

Samuel has been a police officer for more than 17 years and has been assigned to the ODPP for five years

She has been the main prosecutor at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court for the past five year, when she replaced then Station Sergeant of Police Elgin Richards, who is now an assistant superintendent of police and head of the Major Crimes Unit.

In its press statement about Samuel’s academic achievement, the Police Public Relations and Complaints Department described her as being elated.

“My passion has always been in management and in particular the management of our human resources which is the most important asset of any organisation,” the department quoted Samuel as saying.  

“Over the years police organisations have seen changes globally. The job of the police officer is not only confined to maintaining law and order,” Samuel said.

She said that the functions of the police are constantly changing and this requires efficient human resource management. 

“My intention is to boost the morale of police officers and improve relationships across the organisation whilst bridging the gap between the public and the police.”

Samuel said her academic journey was challenging.

“Initially, my greatest challenge was balancing work and university life. Preparing for court and submitting assignments was truly a challenge. But as time progressed, I learned and overcame this hurdle by a creating daily structure,” Samuel said.

“Through it all, I was able to maintain my focus simply by recalling my main motto, ‘Success is a vehicle that moves on a wheel called hard work’.  This structure became my strength and guide throughout the process.”

She further said:

“I wish to use this opportunity to express my thankfulness to God for his grace and mercies as well as to my family and friends for their steady support and encouragement throughout this journey, the Director of Public Prosecutions and staff, The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Commissioner of Police, and by extension the RSVGPF.  

The police public relations department said:

“The Commissioner of Police and members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force extend hearty congratulations to Corporal Corlene Samuel on her achievement and wish her success as she seeks to further develop herself in the field of higher education.”

On Thursday, Kingstown Magistrate John Ballah commended Samuel on the completion of her studies.