Ministry of National Security
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Security Minister Encourages Integration of Personnel among Caribbean Security Forces to Combat Crime
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Issued By: Ministry of National Security
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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Minister of National Security Sen. the Hon.Col. Trevor MacMillan has encouraged regional Commissioners of Police to establish an exchange programme that facilitates the movement of personnel among forces to assist with fighting crime.
He was speaking at the opening of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Annual General Meeting and Conference yesterday at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios.
The minister identified the drug trade as the main cause of violence in the region, noting that the task of tackling this grave social ill is beyond the capacity of any one country or institution.
He also outlined a number of strategies that could be used to solve this problem including promoting "the cross fertilization of ideas and transference of skills and knowledge among law enforcement units within the region. He said that this would be one way of building capacity within the regional bodies and enhance our capability to begin a more integrated process of problem solving.
The National Security Minister also highlighted the importance of deepening and strengthening security cooperation at all levels in the Caribbean region.
According to him an association such as the ACCP must bring meaning and substance to law enforcement interagency cooperation. "While it is important to meet at conferences, it is even more important to follow through with post conference decisions and actions" he said.
He encouraged the commissioners to ensure that they left the conference with concrete action plans that will contribute to the enhancement of regional security and the continued growth and development of their various forces.
He also had a special message for members of the security forces. "The relationship between the police force and the community has to be 100%... You cannot demand respect from people you have to earn it and once you earn it any problem is surmountable."
The ACCP was formally established in 1987 and currently comprises of Commissioners of Police from 24 Caribbean countries.
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