BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER Dr. Denzil Douglas has challenged the nation’s security forces to demonstrate a higher standard of policing as a result of their involvement in the Law Enforcement Training Assistance Project (LETAP).
The Prime Minister issued this challenge at the closing ceremony of the Senior Police Executive Management Seminar on Friday afternoon (Jan. 23) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino.
To date, the project, which is facilitated by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Canadian Government, has trained 42 percent or approximately 160 officers from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
The training has focused on six critical areas of policing, which include the procurement of equipment to facilitate training activities; improving tourist-related security; institutional strengthening of the police force in capacity-building; performance management, change management and succession planning; strategic performance management and management of leadership capacity; and training in crime scene management for first response on a crime scene.
“Today I charge you to deliver excellence in policing. Citizens are clamouring to see you demonstrate your expertise from the aggregate training; the substantial investment in your training...it demands of you much greater dividends.
“I challenge you to confront the increase in gun-related crimes as an attack on your own capability to effectively sustain peace in our communities. Retooling, training and re-strategising will all set you one step higher. Draw on your own experience and the newly acquired methodologies to successfully implement your plans of action,” advised Douglas.
He pointed to cooperation between security agencies as another step that would need to be undertaken in order to effectively combat the escalation in violent crime within the Federation.
“This collaboration is critical to rebuilding the confidence of our people, a confidence that has been shattered over the last few years. Unite with your colleagues in the defence force, customs and in civil society to stamp out the scourge of gangsterism that is foreign to our culture. This has no place in the transformation process of a progressive country such as ours,” stressed Douglas.
He further stated that the force should be more visible and vigilant in its activities and endeavours.
“Our citizens demand this from you. Pool your resources and move forward re-energised to make a difference in all our communities. The future of policing depends on strong performance and achievement on all fronts. Go forth with a strong resolve to effect positive transformation to live up to the high ideals and noble mandate of your profession,” said the PM, who also holds the portfolio of National Security.
