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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I got the report from the Chief of Police, I don\u2019t want to tell you how I responded,” he stated at a December 7, press conference. \u201cThere 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,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn 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,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police are charged with the responsibility to protect and serve so the public must be assured that that is being done,\u201d Blackmoore asserted. \u201cThis is just like when you have a sore, a “bobo\u201d 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost or if not all of our out-district police stations are understaffed,\u201d he made known. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He continued, \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding ongoing investigations, Carbon refrained from disclosing whether officers were in custody but assured the public that both criminal and disciplinary investigations were underway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"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…","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":313445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[19,286,77,235,9,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-313442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime-court-law","category-governance","category-homepage","category-homepage-carousel","category-news","category-regional"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n