BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has recently acquired an equipment that will enable the institution to monitor the legal transshipment of firearms into the twin-island Federation.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd, the equipment, termed a firearm-marking apparatus, would soon be put to use in the marking of those legal firearms that have already entered the Federation.
He did not indicate when the process would begin but informed that persons with licenced firearms would be called upon to take them to the RSCNPF where they would be marked, information documented and returned.
DCP Liburd was however careful to note that the process would not be made public.
The $10 000 package, which includes a desktop and a laptop, was officially handed over to the RSCNPF last week during a brief ceremony at the institution’s Training Complex in Basseterre.
The Organisation of American States-funded (OAS) package was handed over by a representative of that entity, Florence Rascovan, to the Commissioner of Police, Austin Williams.
According to Liburd, the increase in gun-related crime and gun-related death was a serious cause for concern; one which fuelled the drive to attain the equipment.
“This is a Latin American and Caribbean effort and agreement signed by host countries of this machine. It arose out of concern with the transshipment of guns through our region…not only St. Kitts Nevis. Also, what was a concern for us in St. Kitts and Nevis, we have seen that gun-related crime has increased and resulted in death; hence, the government supported us in requesting this machine…”
While he did not give much details on the marking process, Liburd indicated that it go beyond merely the recording of serial numbers.
All firearms which legally enter the country, he explained, would be branded by this machine with a mark unique to St. Kitts Nevis.
As part of the package, 10 members of the RSCNPF have received training in the operation of the machine.
Commissioner Williams said, “This equipment will go a long way today in making a dent in our quest to enhance the resources of law enforcement officers. We want to assure the 99 percent of law-abiding citizens of our Federation that their safety and security is number one in our priorities, and that the one percent of the misguided few will be dealt with according to the law when they attempt to disrupt the peace and security that we all hope for.”
