BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH a view to bolster its crime fighting efforts, the Government recently announced the establishing and launch of three bodies to consist of key National Security personnel.
A post-Cabinet press briefing issued late last week informed that the Executive arm of Government gave approval for the “launch of the National Crimes Commission, the establishment of one National Defence Council, and the formation of a Criminal Justice Strategic Board”.
The briefing stated that they were approved as measures which could see the strengthening of justice and law and order within the Federation.
Speaking with the media, Attorney-General Vincent Byron Jr. explained that these bodies are provided for within the law and form part of the National Security machinery.
“These are part of the legislative structure that we have had for many years. It’s just we have not had them publicly displayed and noted as to what it is. But it is going to help to strengthen our fight against crime, our whole issue of trying to get a handle on the problems that we have been experiencing, especially in terms of crime…
“They are part of the National Security structure, the apparatus that needs to be put in place. And, so at Cabinet, we have looked at it and we now established that we will be putting people in place in those various positions.”
Byron informed that the law dictates who these entities should be comprised of, noting that quite a number of them are chief National Security personnel.
“There are laws on the books that specify who should be on these committees: the Head of the Police Force, the Permanent Secretary in National Security, the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General. So statutorily, they state who should be on these committees, on these bodies.”
Neither the post-Cabinet nor AG Byron indicated within what timeframe these parts of the National Security apparatus would be operational.
