Customs and Immigration officers strengthen border protection

ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, June 17th 2011 - Over 20 officers from the Her Majesty’s Customs and the Immigration Department successfully completed a two-week middle management capacity building training programme sponsored by Her Majesty’s Customs in collaboration with the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) from May 30 to June 10. – Government’s border protection officers continue to engage in integrated training to further strengthen and improve border management and protection in the Territory.

Officers were trained in risk management, coordinated border management, trade facilitation, ethics, leadership and motivation.

On Thursday, June 9, officers received certificates at an award ceremony for successfully completing the intense training programme.

In addressing the officers, Commissioner of HM Customs Mr. Wade Smith said the areas covered are “mission critical” in combating national and trans-national crimes and for securing the Territory’s borders, adding that the inter-agency initiative gave both departments the opportunity to remove any existing “red tape” thereby allowing for more collaborative dialogue and information sharing.

“Training together is important so that we can share ideas and intelligence which will be of benefit to the entire Territory and ultimately help to protect our visitors, residents, and citizens,” Commissioner Smith said.

Speaking on behalf of the Immigration Department, Senior Immigration Officer responsible for training, Mr. Randolph Frett, said he is pleased immigration officers were part of the initiative. He stressed that continuous training is a priority for the department and they will continue to seek integrated border management opportunities to further strengthen and sharpen the skills and knowledge of officers.

The training was conducted by Mr. Andy Argyle, a retiree from Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise in the United Kingdom, who is an expert in customs reform and a CCLEC consultant. He delivered the training on behalf of CCLEC.

In presenting the certificates of completion, Mr. Argyle commended the officers for being excited about border management and protection while reminding them that middle managers are “the engine room that drives an organisation forward.”

Speaking particularly to customs officers Mr. Argyle said, “You are where the tyre hits the road; where there are passengers, importers, goods moving, duties being charged and liaising with other border agencies,” adding, “You are a conduit to let the senior management know what is happening in the frontline.”

The officers expressed their gratification with the training programme and pledged to continue engaging in intelligence sharing and being vigilant in protecting and securing the borders from illegal activities.

Her Majesty Customs is a member of the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) whose mission is to upgrade the effectiveness and efficiency of its member customs administrations.

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