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Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 16, 2015 (RSCNPF): While addressing the participants of the ‘Advance Serious Crime Investigation Course’ that began earlier today (November 16) at the conference room at Her Majesty’s Customs Department, Bird Rock, the Acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mr. Arudranauth Gossai reminded them that “crime affects all us”.

“Keep in mind at all times that crime affects all of us. What I’ve seen in the short time that I’ve been here is that the respective departments are very territorial, when it comes to crime fighting we can’t be territorial, we have to join hands together and try to fight it together. It is important that we have representatives from the different sectors because it is a collaborative effort and it has also come at a time when the federation has recently set up the Criminal Justice Strategic Board and so all of this is going to play an important part in crime fighting and crime solution.”

DPP Gossai added, “even though I am new to the position, with a little over a month, what I’ve realized is that we seem to have some challenges….I hope in January 2016 to see comprehensive investigations being done as a result of this course.”

The course, which is being facilitated by the Bramshill Policing Advisory Group members Mr. Rob Crawford and Mr. John Myles, has participants from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department, representatives from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and partnering law enforcement personnel from Antigua.

In regards to the participation of the representatives from Antigua, Assistant Commissioner of Police, who also bears responsibility for Crime, Mr. Ian Queeley stated that this is an opportunity for networking between the participating agencies.

“The challenges that we face in St. Kitts are similar to those in Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica and all of the other member states in the CARICOM region. Just as the criminals are networking to ensure that their criminal activities prosper, so to should we as law enforcers network. At the end of this you should have established greater networking opportunities.”

ACP Queeley reminded the participants that “these are very challenging times”. He encouraged them to take advantage of this course, build their networks and work together against crime.

“…These are challenging times, not only for law enforcement officers but for our society on a whole and by extension the region. The whole thought process behind amalgamating these different units is to ensure that moving forward we work as one voice with one focus. Crime fighting is a societal issue and as such, we the police, although we are mandated and prepared to lead the fight we require the corporation and collaboration from other agencies. This is something that is spelt it in this course.”

The Advance Serious Crime Investigation Course will be conducted over the next (14) fourteen days and will build capacity amongst our investigative teams in keeping with the objectives the (6) Six Point Plan for the reduction of homicides and crimes in the Federation.