BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Ministry of National Security is prepared to “drastically improve” the quality of local security forces, following a deadly six-day period that saw four persons dying from gunshot injuries.
Bradford Tweed, Mildred and James Daniel, and Elvan Warner all lost their lives to armed perpetrators within the past week. The dramatic rise in violent activity has taken the nation’s homicide toll to 13, just three and a half months into 2010.
According to Monday’s (Apr. 12) post-cabinet briefing, the Minister of National Security, Hon. Sam Condor, delivered a report into the efficiency of the Police and Defence Forces. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted his concern at the continuing spate of violence, which led him and his team of advisors to conduct the investigation.
The forces’ human and physical resources, coordination and communication, discipline and control, and leadership and community policing were the principal areas under review.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, Condor revealed the investigation had been a top priority upon his ministerial appointment. He admitted there were areas where improvements could definitely be made and outlined several recommendations up for consideration.
“The crime-fighting units will be restructured so there is closer collaboration between the security forces. We don’t need to create more of them – we already have the Anti-Gang, K9, Intelligence and other Units. We just need to make them more efficient,” he explained.
The ministry will also look at reorganising security personnel by civilianising some aspects of the force.
“Jobs such as writing receipts or filing, these are not things you need an officer for,” stressed Condor. “We want to ensure our policemen are out policing, that we have our best men on the streets.”
He noted the force would be underscoring law enforcement activities by cracking down on petty crime offenders to send a “zero tolerance” message to potential perpetrators.
Condor said the long-term goal was to create a society in which every person in the Federation felt loved and accepted.
“We are trying to build a society of civility, tolerance and love for all citizens and residents of the Federation. A society where there is more deterrents so persons won’t commit crimes. We want to foster a more amicable environment – one of peace and harmony.
“I know persons are concerned, and they have a right to be. But they should know how much I love and have an interest in this country, and that I will work my hardest to restore peace.”
The report is currently in the hands of law enforcement officials, who are charged with analysing and refining it to create an appropriate timeline of the recommendations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Joseph Liburd, confirmed that security forces had met with ministry officials as recent as this week about the investigation.
