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Contact:
Julita Peter
Thursday, June 24, 2004 - Internal Security Minister, Senator the
Honourable Calixte George has reassured the public of government’s commitment to
the protection of public safety and national security.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, June 21, Senator George explained that
the current national budget had committed resources to enhance the effectiveness
of the police force. This, he said, included transportation, the commissioning
of a forensic laboratory, and recruitment of additional police officers,
especially in respect of the Special Services Unit.
According to the Internal Security Minister, whilst the police are responsible
for maintaining law and order, civil society also has a critical role to play in
the fight against crime. He added that the actions of the public should be such
that they are not perceived to be in support of deviant criminal behaviours.
“The general public should have zero tolerance to such behaviour”, he said,
adding, “I therefore appeal to every citizen for corporation in joining hands
with the police in removing the scourge of crime from the society. In that
regard, we want to thank those persons who assisted the police in the execution
of their duties, and also those private citizens who came to the rescue of a
young girl who was abducted recently.”
Meanwhile, Senator George has recognized that in order for the police to execute
their duties more effectively, their working environment must be conducive.
Following a tour of several police stations, the Internal Security Minister
admitted that the conditions of some of those facilities were abhorrent.
Having embarked on a refurbishment exercise of police stations on the island,
the government is making attempts to activate the new Divisional Headquarters at
Vieux-Fort, which is expected to bring some measure of relief to officers in the
south.
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