Crime, corruption
and waste are the chief disincentives to sustainable development and economic
growth, falling squarely under the ambit of the divisions of the Ministry of
National Security and, for all intents and purposes, are key mandates of the
Police Service. Employing numerous Resource Preservation strategies to protect
life, guard the borders, prevent and detect crime, investigate evidence of
corruption, spot and stop waste of the country’s physical assets. The necessary
policies,
essential tools and equipment, heavily supported by real-time intelligence and
both witness and scientific evidence are addressed in the national budget, equivalent to 14.76% of total estimated
expenditure up by 42.89% from the previous year.
The
nation’s defense, against both internal and external threats, is seen as the vanguard
of such Resource
Preservation. The Defence Force, subdivided into the Regiment,
Coast Guard and Air Guard with the Defence Force Reserves and the
Cadet Force constantly sustaining military might, is the leadership and General
Administration charged to protect all national interest when called upon too.
Funded by 29.70% of the total Resource Preservation budget in peaceful times and
with numerous international training opportunities, this force engages in
disaster management, ceremonial functions, Search and Rescue,
the prevention of trafficking of narcotics and other illegal goods and monitors
the nation’s air space and waters.
The Police
Service is in control of its own budget, 33.49% of the
total Resource
Preservation budget, although still functioning as a division of the Ministry
of National Security. With over 6,500 Police
Officers in varying ranks and Special Reserved Police support the mandate of
the Service. The Mandate is to; Maintain
law and order, Preserve peace, Protect life and property, Prevent and detect
crime, Apprehend offenders and Enforce all laws and regulations with which it
is charged. The Police Service is organized into
nine Divisions which covers the entire nation as well as 18 Branches, Squadrons
and Units, and its own Training Academy.
Another 25.09%
of the total Resource Preservation expenditure funds: The Prison Service is to
protect society and; reduce crime through the reduction in re-offending by
facilitating the opportunities for the rehabilitation of offenders, while
maintaining control under safe, secure and humane conditions. Probation Services
mandate is to manage applications in criminal and other matters
based on the recommendation of the Court system. The Immigration
Division which is responsible for the control of persons entering and leaving the
country, the issuance of travel documents both locally and at its foreign
Missions and its Detention Centre for the confinement of
prohibited immigrants pending deportation and/or the determination of
matters/investigations. The Fire Service operates
under four main divisions strategically located throughout the country. The Life
Guard Services is to ensure the safety of individuals in aquatic environments.
The remaining funds
are for other various operations and initiatives; with 6.64% allocated to
provide New Buildings, Equipment and Vehicles, and to fund The Forensic Science
Centre, and 5.08% funding 21 other units. Such as; the National Operation
Centre, the Strategic Services Agency for coordinating
operations for the suppression of illicit drug trafficking, the National
Security Training Academy, Community Comfort Patrol, Criminal Injuries
Compensation Board, just to name a few. As ambitious as these projections are,
the citizenry must firstly be informed and made comfortable confident and
secure, that Internal Affairs are rooting out Crime, Corruption and Waste from all
the divisions of National Security, for our own safety. Bearing in mind,
personnel cost is 67.88% of the total Resource
Preservation expenses.
Rationale
T.A.J & Associates Company Limited uses this occasion to comment on topics that have been covered, both academically and by the mainstream media, to add its opinion and point out investment opportunity, not to invoke any social action.
