PM Douglas takes charge of National Security; 
says Law and Order a national priority

By L.K. Hewlett
Editor- SKNVibes.com

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas

The post of Minister of National Security, Immigration and Labour was left vacant when former minister Hon. Dwyer Astaphan resigned effective July 31, 2008. The Hon. Earl Asim Martin, Minister of Public Works, Utilities, Transport and Post was assigned to the National Security ministry in the interim.

Douglas’ reasoning for the assumption of duties as minister of National Security and general shuffling of portfolios was that following Astaphan’s resignation, it had become necessary for him to reassign and restructure a number of ministerial portfolios to ‘ensure the continued implementation of [the federal] comprehensive agenda of social change and economic transformation’.

“In the new configuration of ministerial portfolios, I have sought to give heavy focus on the issues of highest national priority including Law and Order and the Public Finances. I am of the view that the issue of crime is an urgent priority that requires continuous attention at the highest policy level.

“We simply do not have the time that would be required for any new Minister of National Security to move along the learning curve,” Douglas said.

Douglas outlined several aggressive law enforcement initiatives relating to the reduction of crime in the federation, chief of which was the importation of foreign assistance. ~~Adz:Right~~

“We will seek international assistance to boost the efforts of our local law enforcement officers in the fight against crime and we will, over the next few weeks, benefit from the services of a team of law enforcement officers from overseas with special expertise in gang-related criminal activities, who will work with local law enforcement officers to assess the crime situation in our Federation, with a view to enhancing and refining our crime reduction strategies.”

He added that while in Mexico recently, he met with His Excellency President Felipe Calderon and discussed with him further technical assistance in support of the Federation’s strategic fight against crime.

“In particular, we will seek international assistance to boost the efforts of our local law enforcement officers in the fight against crime. In this regard, we will, over the next few weeks, benefit from the services of a team of law enforcement officers from overseas, with special expertise in gang-related  criminal activities, who will work with local law enforcement officers to assess the crime situation in our Federation, with a view to enhancing and refining our crime reduction strategies,” Dr. Douglas said.
 
He announced that government will also boost the capability of the Criminal Investigation Department by procuring the services of a Law Enforcement Professional with experience in Crime Scene Management and Criminal Investigation to provide continuing support, advice, training and assistance to local detectives.
 
According to the Prime Minister, these initiatives along with the re-construction of the Dieppe Bay and Tabernacle Police Stations, and the appointment of a National Security Adviser with experience in Law Enforcement and gang-related crimes ‘will not only bring early results in respect of crime reduction but will also result in the transfer of expertise and skills to local Law Enforcement Officers, and thereby enhance the technical capability of our Security Forces over time’.

PM Douglas added that due to the amount of time and attention that would have to be dedicated to National Security, he would not be able to effectively carry out his duties in relation to the critically important Ministry of Finance. As such, he announced that Hon. Timothy Harris, who was up until today’s restructuring was the minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, would assume duties as Minister of Finance.