BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LOCAL crime-fighting efforts are expected to be enhanced following a meeting between top government officials and international security agency INTERPOL on Saturday (May 15).
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor met with INTERPOL Secretary-General Ronald Noble to identify crime-fighting areas in which the global police organisation could help train local security agencies.
Permanent Secretary in the National Security Ministry Astona Browne, Ministry Advisor Dr. Norgen Wilson and Commissioner of Police Austin Williams were also present for the session.
At Noble’s request, Douglas agreed to take immediate steps to accord special visa status for INTERPOL travel document holders, ensuring that St Kitts-Nevis would benefit from any needed international police support from INTERPOL without any unnecessary red tape.
“Our number one concern has always been ensuring that both citizens and visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis be afforded the best possible security and assistance.
“By according INTERPOL travel document holders special visa status, we are able to enhance our security by putting in place even closer links to INTERPOL and the support it provides,” Douglas explained.
Speaking exclusively to SKNVibes, Commissioner Williams said he had outlined areas of concern from the “police end” with Secretary-General Noble, highlighting that the illicit trafficking in drugs and firearms is a “major concern”.
According to the COP, the meeting was a “successful exchange” of ideas and recommendations, with Noble promising to take the local delegation’s concerns to INTERPOL’s general assembly.
“Any country that needs support in police training or in international crime prevention and crime response can best do so by ensuring that it has a strong and vibrant relationship with INTERPOL,” Noble pledged.
“I am persuaded that St. Kitts and Nevis is aware of the challenges confronting it and other countries in the region, and is ready to take bold steps to confront these challenges,” he added.
Williams noted that St. Kitts-Nevis had benefited from INTERPOL training initiatives since 2008, but said the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police and the Regional Security System remained the government’s major crime-fighting partners.
Meanwhile, Condor told SKNVibes that INTERPOL’s new special visa status would enhance the Federation’s border security by decreasing incidences of fraud and money laundering.
The National Security Minister however declined to give further details on the meeting.
