BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS promised by the Government, personnel of the Regional Security System (RSS) are back in St. Kitts and Nevis and will be assisting local law enforcement officers in their fight against crime.
Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley made the announcement today (Dec. 16) at the graduation ceremony for the RSS Leadership Course at the Custom and Excise Department Conference Room.
Some 23 participants from RSS members states participated in the six-weeks training programme and, according to CoP Queeley, a number of them had decided to stay on and assist in keeping law and order in the Federation.
This media house was told that 18 officers would remain on the island, as their new stint would be up "sometime in the new year".
When questioned on the duration of the officers’ stay, CoP Queeley refused to provide an answer due to security reasons.
Additionally, when asked what aspect of law enforcement in which they would be involved, he also refused and security reasons were once again cited.
PM Harris, who is also the Minister with Responsibility for National Security, told SKNVibes that the first batch of officers had performed creditably.
"I believe that the impact of the RSS force here earlier in the year was well felt by all and sundry in the community. Indeed we have had public expressions of support for their return," Dr. Harris said.
During their presence in the Federation, there was a decrease in the level of criminal activities, but some people had complaint of harassments by those officers, especially during stop and search operations.
Dr. Harris reminded that the obvious benefit from the RSS' presence was that of the "peace dividends” when there was no homicide committed.
He added that it had a trickle-down effect which was felt in the Health Sector; a similar sentiment that was made by the Junior Minister with Responsibility for Health, the Hon. Wendy Phipps.
"The High Command at the Health Center, the Senior Administrators had reported that over that six-week period that there were no violence or gun-related incidents reported at the hospital. So that brought a tremendous relief to those involved in health care delivery."
The Federation has on record to date some 31 homicides, the latest being the discovery of Leon Sutton’s body which bore multiple gunshot wounds.
That came several hours after Ronel Warner of Mansion was shot to the chest in Molineaux.
The Government, Dr. Harris noted, had received support from the business community and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce to have the RSS officers return to St. Kitts and Nevis.
