MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY REAFFIRMS  ITS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING PEACE, SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 19, 2024 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the Ministry of National Security, remains highly committed to the safety and security of its citizens, residents and visitors to the country. This assurance was given during a press conference held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at ZIZ Studios.

Officials within the national security apparatus, including National Security Advisor Dr. Lionel Rawlins; Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, James Sutton and Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie used Friday’s press conference to update the nation on the state of affairs as it relates to national security and outline the plans and strategies being pursued for curbing crime in the Federation.

Through strategic partnerships and programmes, Police Commissioner Sutton reiterated that the police force is prepared to appropriately respond to the gun-related violence taking place in the country.

Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, James Sutton

The commissioner noted that an important element of their approach to addressing this problem is their community policing initiative.

“Our community policing is continuing. We have employed a strategy of having one town hall meeting every quarter. We have had one in the Cayon area and we intend to hold another town hall meeting in Old Road in the next month,” Commissioner Sutton said, emphasising the importance of these interactions between the law enforcement agency and the public in building trust and forging relationships.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Comrie said the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force will continue to lend its full support to bolster the operations of the police force in the interest of maintaining law and order in the twin-island Federation.

The SKNDF Commander noted that it is imperative that the presence of law enforcement officers is enhanced in communities impacted by gun-related violence. He added, “I intend to leverage our military intelligence network, the Joint Service Operation Tactical Team (JSOTT), to conduct enhanced surveillance and gather actionable intelligence on persons with criminal intent.”

Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie

The National Security officials all made strong pleas for members of the community, particularly those with pertinent information on criminal activities, to collaborate with the law enforcement bodies, noting that an all-of-society approach is the most efficient and effective way to stem or eradicate crime and violence in the country.

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