PORT OF SPAIN – Recommendations of the Caricom Task Force on Crime and Security to curb crime in the region will be considered at the Caricom 17th Inter-Sessional which started on Thursday, February 9, at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.
On the list will be specific recommendations for taking guns off the streets and tackling the illegal drug trade. The Task Force presented over one hundred recommendations from which a number was identified for a renewed regional initiative.
The Task Force also made recommendations for establishing multi-sectoral National Commissions on Law and Order and forming a regional research network that will bring together the University of the West Indies (UWI) and other institutions with research capabilities.
National Crime Commissions would drive implementation of National Crime Control Master Plans, integrating law enforcement, social crime prevention, legal issues and international cooperation as part of an all-embracing approach to crime reduction.
The Task Force identified unemployment, inequality, social marginalization and inequality, poverty, the illegal drug trade, the trafficking in firearms, corruption and the ineffectiveness of the existing criminal justice systems in the region as factors contributing to the crime problem in the region. Other major security threats stem from criminal deportees, growing lawlessness and the vulnerability to terrorism.
CARICOM Heads of Government established the Task Force in 2001 to isolate the causes of the crime and security problems in the region and make recommendations for regional responses.
Under the Chairmanship of Lance Selman of Trinidad and Tobago, it brought together security professionals from across the region and also included representatives of regional security institutions such as the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) and the Regional Security System (RSS). The University of the West Indies (UWI) was represented by Professor Ramesh Deosaran and Dr. Anthony Harriott.
A priority for the Task Force is further scientific investigations to get a clearer understanding of the values that underlie the social choices that lead to criminal behaviour.
A number of areas have been identified as principal planks for a strong platform for collaborative regional law enforcement action. These include strengthening border security, information exchange, law enforcement human resource strengthening, maritime cooperation and mutual assistance arrangements.
Action has been initiated in all these areas and active collaboration is ongoing with the UWI and international partners. A Joint Security Cooperation Plan with the United Kingdom is being implemented.
In July, 2005, the Heads of Government agreed on a proposal by Prime Minister Manning for a new regional architecture to manage the regional crime and security agenda. Key elements of the structure include a Council of Ministers responsible for Security and Law Enforcement and sub committees of law enforcement and military heads.
An Implementation Agency for Crime and Security based in Port of Spain, will replace the Secretariat of the Task Force. The meeting also agreed to establish a Coordinating Unit for security planning of Cricket World Cup 2007.
The need for strengthening the collective capacity within the region and closer regional collaboration is highlighted by the introduction of the Single Market as well as Planning for the security of Cricket World Cup 2007.
The Inter-Sessional Meeting later this week is expected to receive updates on the progress of the implementation of the Regional Security Agenda.
