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Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 28, 2017 (RSCNPF):  Commissioner of Police Mr. Ian M. Queeley and the other members of the Police High updated the Minister of National Security, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, and members of his Cabinet with respect to ongoing efforts to preserve and strengthen citizen safety and law and order in the Federation.  The Police High Command also provided updates as to the success of those efforts and other  initiatives that have been put in place in order to reduce and prevent crime,  at a recent meeting held at the St. Kitts Marriott.

 

Commissioner, Queeley, said “the Federation on a whole has made significant strides for the year thus far with respect to an improved crime detection rate in general and in particular with homicides when compared to last year around the same period.” He noted that there is a downward trend in homicides for the first half of the year with,  18 in 2015,  17 in 2016 and 16 in 2017. The Commissioner also shared that the detection rate has been improving and said, “in 2015 the detection rate was 17,%, in 2016 it was 18% and in 2017 so far we have recorded a  44% detection rate.”  He stressed despite the reduction, “everyone of these is one too many.”

 

He also highlighted that the removal of illegal firearms from the community has been a priority for the Police service and noted that 25 illegal firearms have been taken so far in 2017, and builds on the success of efforts that resulted in the removal of 21 in 2015, and 36 in 2016 respectively.   

 

The Commissioner outlined a number of measures that are to be executed in the coming days and acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the continued collaborative partnership with Strategic Units of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force and Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department. Commissioner Queeley shared his team optimism for continued success and said, “The Police remain confident that with greater support from the public, better results would be achieved.”

 

The Police also updated the Cabinet about its Draft Strategy for the Engagement, the Disruption and Displacement of gangs. The Strategy is being built on the foundations of Suppression through Targeted Operations, the introduction of efforts to promote Prevention and Diversion for at risk youth becoming members, development of Supportive Environments for successful Anti-Gang efforts, Strategic Communications and Effective Coordination.   Commissioner Queeley noted, this Strategy will require the support of a number of stakeholders both Governmental and Civic Based.

 

Other stakeholders represented at the meeting included representatives from the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department, The St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Bramshill Police Advisers Ltd led by Steve France-Sargeant, Mr. Narace Ramnarine of the Forensic Services Unit of the RSCNPF, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Hilary Hazel and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Osmond Petty.