UK CaribbeanLaw Enforcement Plenary being held in Cayman
Participantsin the UK Caribbean Law Enforcement Conference.
The UK Caribbean Law Enforcement Conferencewas held on Tuesday 23 April, 2002 at the Grand Pavilion ElizabethanBallroom. This conference, which lasts through 23-25 April, hasbeen ongoing for the past three years. It is the first time theCayman Islands is the host.
The Hon. W. McKeeva Bush, Leader of GovernmentBusiness welcomed over forty delegates, observers and presenters.He exclaimed that it was a "distinct honour to be a partof this annual ceremony".
The minister also noted that law enforcementis taken for granted in every society until a problem arises andit is needed. Commissioner of the Royal Cayman Islands Police(RCIP) Mr. David Thursfield, was commended by Mr. Bush for hiswillingness to go out into Cayman's community and becoming involvedwith the people. Mr. Bush said that "police, customs andimmigration must work in partnership" if this fight againstcrime is to be made any easier, and that "better resultsare crucially dependant on the intelligence" of those individualsinvolved.
In closing, his remarks to the visitors,Mr. Bush said, "If you come back we will love you and ifyou don't come back we will love you all the same".
His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Peter J.Smith who gave the opening address, stated to the delegates thathe saw them as "field officers in this war against crime",and that we should continue to join forces in planning a policyto protect the Caribbean people and in order to do that efficientlywe should visit and be familiar with the laws in all the OverseasTerritories. He observed that by the presence of the officialsat the conference, he sees that they are willing to co-operateand that "the essence of effective cooperation is of coursethe sharing of intelligence".
The Governor admired the benefits of a healthyand competitive attitude, and said that there was no room forpotentially damaging disputes between the countries. "Thewar particularly against drugs- is too important to indulgeourselves in (such in-fighting) and the peace and security ofour respective jurisdictions demands that all pull together forthe common good".
He said that the area's law enforcementagencies should expand their already established intelligencenetwork, the Overseas Territories Regional Criminal IntelligenceSystem (OTRCIS), until it reaches every territory in the region,because "preventing crime and promoting peace is not thework of a few".
Mr. Smith concluded his remarks by expressingthat he was looking forward to hosting the delegates at the GovernmentHouse on Thursday evening and suggested that they should takesome time away from business to view the scenery of the island.
Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Orrett Connor,gave the vote of thanks. He expressed gratitude to CommissionerThursfield, among others, for organizing the conference.