By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 18th January 2019)- At this time, there is no date set for the visiting officers of the Regional Security System (RSS) to leave St.Kitts-Nevis since their latest deployment in October 2018.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris, during his opening remarks at his first press conference of 2019 held on Wednesday 16th January at Government Headquarters, outlined that those officers will be in the Federation as long as their support is necessary.
“The Regional Security System has been invited here to help complement our manpower needs. They will be here as long as the High Command of the security forces deems their support to be necessary,” PM Harris expressed.
He has commended the security forces who, in partnership with the RSS, “contained the homicide rate in our country.”
“From the period October 6 to present, our country has not had a homicide. In the six (6) weeks prior to the RSS arrival, we experienced one homicide per week,” the National Security Minister told.
To this end, Dr. Harris has thanked those RSS officers “for their contribution to the enhanced peace and security which we have experienced since October 2018.”
According to him, the RSS is a critical asset available to all RSS member states.
“We are the only country in the sub-region that is regular in our payments to the RSS. In fact, over the last 4 years we have contributed $7.4 million in membership dues to the RSS. This is our contribution to the preservation of regional security. The Regional Security System has been invited here to help complement our manpower needs. They will be here as long as the High Command of the Security Forces deems their support to be necessary. The peace-loving people of St. Kitts and Nevis have commended my Government on its bold move to invite the RSS. My Government believes in law and order. Every effort will be made to ensure the safety and security of Kittitians and Nevisians and all who reside in and visit our country.”
Dr. Harris added: “The presence of the RSS provides the opportunity for enhanced learning and training for the Police Force and for building their capacity to work in operations across law enforcement agencies at home and abroad.”
All law enforcement officers have been asked “to exhibit utmost professionalism when serving and protecting our people.”