BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RECENT initiatives undertaken by members of the private sector to assist in maintaining law and order in the land are being praised by Minister of National Security Sam Condor, and other private sector members are being encouraged to join in the effort.
In recent times, security personnel of Ross University of Veterinary Medicine and Windsor University commenced training, following successful conclusion of which they would become Island Constables, as provided for by the Island Constables Act of 2009.
Condor gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony, expressing the government’s gratitude of the private sector’s active participation in the fight against crime.
“The Ministry, and by extension the government, is extremely thankful for the willingness of the Private Sector, international organisations, friendly nations and other like-minded individuals, such as active or former private security and police/defence force officers, to foster co-ordination and synergy, and to render other forms of support to tackle the many problems related to national security.
“This Island Constable initiative then, is the latest in a number of strategies being implemented, intentioned to mitigate against and to soften the negative impact of crime and violence on our Small Developing State. I wish to commend and to thank each one of you and, of course, your institutions for being prepared to form this vital link between the full-time police and your local community.”
Describing Ross and Windsor’s support of the crime fight as “vital in tackling the menace of anti-social behaviour”, the National Security Minister appealed “to other establishments to improve/create security systems that would upgrade their businesses and augment the work of the Security Forces. It certainly would be a plus to invest in mobile units where possible.”
