Minister of National Security and Legal Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore, has announced that independent investigators from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), will oversee the investigation regarding the burglary and theft of nine firearms at the St. Joseph Police Station.
Between December 5 and 6, 2023, a burglary occurred at the armoury of the station which is located west of the island, resulting in the theft of a significant arsenal. The stolen items included a total of nine firearms: six assault rifles, comprising three M6 rifles and three 7.5 rifles, along with one shotgun and two pistols. Additionally, a quantity of ammunition in various calibres was also taken from the St. Joseph Police Station during this incident.
The recent burglary has sparked outrage and concern among citizens and government officials alike. In response to this alarming incident, the security minister has voiced his deep dismay and highlighted the gravity of the situation.
“When I got the report from the Chief of Police, I don’t want to tell you how I responded,” he stated at a December 7, press conference. “There is absolutely no reasonable excuse or explanation for what transpired at the St. Joseph’s Police Station and it’s a situation whereby we should remove our political caps and look at this issue as a very serious national issue. I can say to you that your government is taking that matter very seriously,” Blackmoore stated emphatically. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Blackmoore assured the public that the government is taking immediate and resolute action. He revealed that independent investigators from the CARICOM IMPACS will be brought in urgently to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.
“An investigating officer in the person of the head of CID was assigned to investigate this by the Chief of Police. But I believe that this matter is so urgent and serious that we made a request for independent investigators through the instrumentality of CARICOM IMPACS to be in Dominica very shortly, to investigate that matter in an independent fashion, and let the chips fall, where it’s supposed to fall,” he revealed.
The Conference of Heads of Government, starting in July 2001, formed a Regional Task Force on Crime and Security to address the root causes of security threats in the Caribbean. This Task Force proposed recommendations for a new regional framework on Crime and Security, endorsed in July 2005 during the 26th session. Subsequently, in July 2006, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) was established as the execution arm for CARICOM’s crime and security action plan. At this meeting, the Heads of Government signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement, empowering IMPACS with responsibilities such as research, monitoring, evaluation, and project implementation for the regional Crime and Security agenda.
“The police are charged with the responsibility to protect and serve so the public must be assured that that is being done,” Blackmoore asserted. “This is just like when you have a sore, a “bobo” and no plaster can be placed on it. That is how I characterize what transpired at the St. Joseph Police Station and I am very upset about this occurrence.”
Meanwhile, in addressing concerns about understaffing, Chief of Police Daniel Carbon disclosed ongoing recruitment efforts, aiming to bolster the police force by adding 55 recruits.
“Most or if not all of our out-district police stations are understaffed,” he made known. “We are in the recruiting stage and we are catering for 55 recruits. So far, we have about 44 and hopefully, we will get to 55 very soon.”
Acknowledging the necessity for heightened security protocols, especially at police stations, Carbon disclosed that the station is without a police Inspector and recommendations have been forwarded to the relevant authorities, to fill this gap. However, he says, beyond structural reinforcements, the linchpin of an effective security framework in police stations lies in the presence of active-duty police officers.
“At all times there must be a police officer present at a police station. And so, what happened in St. Joseph is very outrageous. There must be a police presence at a police station at all times, 24/7,” he expressed.
Also highlighting the logistical challenges faced by the St. Joseph Police Station, currently spread across three different locations due to ongoing construction, Carbon stressed the importance of maintaining vigilant security despite these circumstances.
“I sincerely believe and I know that there are enough police officers in the three different locations to ensure that the main centre quarters where the armoury was should have a police officer on duty at that station 24/7 and also at the other two buildings which are rented for the police.”
He continued, “If the police officers in St. Joseph are on duty with a specific matter at the time, you have Mahaut, Salisbury and Coulibistrie which falls within that area of St. Joseph to collaborate and ensure that if St. Joseph must respond in full force, you have backup and support.”
Regarding ongoing investigations, Carbon refrained from disclosing whether officers were in custody but assured the public that both criminal and disciplinary investigations were underway.
Where is the “chief of police”? What are his duties? To sit around doing nothing? I really don’t understand what has happened to Dominica and I’m lost for words, frankly. When change comes it may still not be pretty. But change must come. It’s a must.
will the police remove all firearms at police stations like they did to a law enforcement agency a few years ago. imagine they allegedly break open your home and they didn’t tamper with any or get access to any weaponry of yours yet still you were deemed that your place wasn’t good for safe keeping but the police station which is supposed to be good for safe keeping was robbed… now the blame game begins who should have done what. the police force is reactive and not proactive like every other government working force. very delinquent, round pegs in square holes. let’s wait to see who they give the fall. tick tock tick tock or wait it’s a digital clock am I losing my head
Ha! ha! ha!
a joke dat man; Blackmore stop wasting the peoples resources; just put a team together made up of your jack—-s, like Mills; Irish; Sogo-fly and Lin Clown the job would be done pronto “no name no warrant”. When you and your dysfunctional government put “square pegs in round holes” what did you guys expect; Dick Tracy: Magnum PI or Colombo ; 
Now I wonder who will guard the guards. it was the same minister of national security who disarmed the customs department and took all their arms and ammo in police custody…. good job whiteless
that’s laughable 😠
Blackmore and Skerrit are just sorry losers.
can impacs help all you get back dem guns?
3 guns alone came in as a result of 2 months of a gun amnesty then immediately after guns are robbed from a Police station!!
you can’t take impacs to soufriere!!
impacs can’t clean de egg from all you face.
that’s what happens when deceitful disloyal selfish gluttonous divisive wannabe famous leadership abandon their and dishonor their fell citizens as they sacrifice leadership for hunting and chasing after wealth!
dining with fake millionaire like themselves, building mansions, appointing suckers, bribing.
All you know more than us so pass de proper information to impacs and expose de gun man and dem nuh if all you bad.
Lennox Linton and UWP supporters alone all you does show authority on.
carbon going out with the badge he deserves
Dominica is unique. Where else in the OECS have you heard of thieves breaking into a police station and stealing so many guns. It appears that the thieves want to start a small army.
This has to be an inside job expertly executed. There are foxes guarding the poultry farm. There are too many people of shady character, with criminal tendencies, in this ‘law enforcement agency’. It’s no surprise that they act like hooligans in brutalizing unarmed civilians.
From the experiences with the police in Dominica, it is quite evident, they are not here to enforce law and order, for it is obvious that they preserve disorder.
The first country Venezuela invaded was the Commonwealth of Dominica when they invaded Bird Island. Now they are invading Guyana and wants to annex 2/3 of Guyana known as the Essequibo Region.
I hope the plans to bring Venezuelan troops to Dominica is not a move to silence Dominican on the atrocities Venezuela plans to commit on the People of Guyana. They already shoot down a Guyanese helicopter in Guyanese territory killing 5 of the 7 on board.
Becareful Dominica the wolf in sheep clothing is coming. I heard next is Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela is a deadly, venomous, and destructive friend.
DOMINICANS you are living in a FAILED FAILED country. The grading of Dominica at the present time is X. When will all of you wake up to realize that, “Tout Kai pull quazay?” I may be too late. All of you continue to play naive and just keep saying, “All rope has and end. All road has a bend. God knows best.Hail Mary full of grace” etc etc etc. If is smart all you playing smart but not being clever well your pipes are already smoked out by the frogs. Jack and Jenny a…ses.
I don’t know if u ever noticed Dominica has been heading in the worst direction….no law no constitution….go to hell go to hell….I run thing in Dominica….those are words of a dictator…..no wonder these things are happening….not many of the law men are in support of such nonsense going on…..expect more in time to come….
What startled me is the number of sophisticated weapons the government has stockpiled to intimidate and use on their own citizens. Melissa was not joking when she spoke about their army of snipers and navy seals.
This administration should be focusing primarily on creating opportunities for the citizens of working age to procure employment. Poverty breeds crimes. These twin brothers(poverty & crime) are the two most harmful plagues negatively affecting the population.
An administration that is more focused on building an impressive armoury of the most modern weapons than building the capacity of its human resources, should be booted from office with alacrity.
If CARICOM IMPACS worth its weight they will realize this is a result of a systematic and administrative problem and to have a thorough investigation that will be assessed.
While they at it have them investigate the sexual Harassment, choksi, political control, police used in political mischief, extra judicial killings, handling of disappearance of Kernisha, body of Keagan, Salisbury violations, XXX favors for recruitment, selective enforcement of law, police brutality, poor evidence gathering……and the long list.
Call the FBI or Scotland Yard! Oh no, the trail may lead back to the PM and his wife and their snipers. Anyway when snipers and assassins come home to roost they are coming for all of us! Dominica fini bat!