MP Astaphan says Police Force lacks discipline
Challenges parents, social and economic partners to combat crime

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

Former Minister of National Security Dwyer Astaphan

The Parliamentary Representative of Constituency Number Two was at the time addressing members of the media at a press conference that he held in the wake of the recent shooting in Cayon, which left two young men dead and six others wounded.

The press conference was held yesterday (Dec. 3) at the office of Eden Services [St. Kitts and Nevis] Ltd. in Port Zante.

“Some officers are a law unto themselves, which causes some people to feel as though they are in bed with the criminals themselves. This compromises the system and gives momentum to the criminals.

“We must insist on higher standards and weed out the bad eggs in the police force. Officers must have integrity and be on the right side of law,” he said.

Astaphan also addressed the issue of police officers having second jobs and stressed that he was not blocking them from being enterprising and seeking additional income, but that their effectiveness may be compromised due to questions of fatigue, loyalty and liability. 

He recommended a myriad of other initiatives including a new police development centre, a youth rehabilitative home, a national security development fund from which funds to build facilities could be sourced, the establishment of a Police Complaints Authority for citizens to air their grievances against members of the force, the hiring of a new judge and magistrate to speed up the litigation process, an increased use of non-custodial sentences and the passing of the Parole Board Act to reduce the prison population. ~~Adz:Right~~

Earlier in his comments, Astaphan called on the appropriate authorities to consider far-reaching and comprehensive proposals including social intervention, policing, justice and penal components to combat crime and other anti-social activities.

He also challenged parents and other social and economic partners to come to a concerted resolve to do their respective and collective parts in the fight against crime.

Additionally, Astaphan stressed the need for a relentless full-court press by the security forces over an extended period of time. He also contended that St. Kitts has “an active gun trade”.

“Weapons and arms continue to be brought in through our seaports and airports and there must be equipment at these areas of entry to screen incoming containers,” explained Astaphan.

He also discredited the notion that gun amnesty would be an effective solution, stating that the measure had failed in St. Lucia and that “no group would hand in its guns knowing or suspecting that other groups are still armed”.

He attributed the strong informant system that he had established during his tenure as the reason behind the bulk of firearms apprehended by authorities within the past 18 months.

“In this year [2008] alone the police have discovered 31 weapons, which is a good step. But in light of 22 murders the successes fade into the background.

“Neither the police force nor society at large are performing at the level required to effectively deal with the crime situation. Unless persons demand more from their security officers and these officers act with integrity and justice, then 10 years later we will still be addressing this same issue,” Astaphan declared.