BVI government aims for modernised law enforcement

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

ROAD TOWN, BVI: British Virgin Islands Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith has given firm assurance that Government is aiming for modernised law enforcement and information sharing capabilities in the BVI.

Speaking on Tuesday at the opening ceremony for the United Kingdom Caribbean Overseas Territories (UKCOTs) and Bermuda Law Enforcement Conference, he asserted that such events, along with Government's initiatives, will help the Territory achieve this goal.

"We will also be placing integrity, accountability and transparency as our top priorities, as we ask our people, among other things, to hold us accountable," added the Chief Minister.

He pointed out that Government intends to make efficiency and effectiveness evenly distributed throughout law enforcement operations in the Territory and that law and order will be "at the very heart" of all development strategies.

Dr. Smith reasoned that this is necessary, as crime and the fear of it can cause principal social institutions in the BVI to "deteriorate and disintegrate" and that, if left unabated, can become a serious danger to the economic and social welfare of people.

"But as a Government, we are committed to ensuring that this does not happen," he told the gathering, which included senior immigration, police and customs officials from the BVI, Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Dr. Smith said he hopes the conference will go a long way in helping every participating country achieve its respective goals for improving law enforcement and urged that the knowledge gained be passed on to others who could not attend.

The Chief Minister challenged the delegates to develop strategies and recommendations for the way forward so that, as UK Overseas Territories, best practices which can become a model for the rest of the world can be implemented.

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