WITH crime and security as the focus of the just-concluded 13th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have agreed to implement a wide range of measures to tackle the serious issues of crime and security currently plaguing the region.

These measures address issues such as illegal firearms, deportees, crime prevention, drug trafficking, murder, kidnapping, gang- and youth- related violence, according to a statement issued at the conclusion.

The April 4 to 5 forum which was initiated by host Prime Minister Patrick Manning was agreed to when the heads met for the 19th Inter-Sessional in Nassau, Bahamas, recently.

The 13th Special Meeting was preceded by three preparatory meetings of the Heads of Police Services and Military Forces in Guyana from March 18 to 20; the Fifth Meeting of Council for Ministers of National Security and Law Enforcement on April 3, in Port of Spain; and a meeting of the Security Policy Advisory Committee (SEPAC) comprising senior officials of Ministries of National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as well as senior Security Officers, all of which forwarded proposals.

Regarding crime prevention, the conference according to the statement, agreed to promote inter-agency collaboration for crime prevention at the national level; establish the Regional Investigative Management Team to support difficult and protracted investigations; implement the CARICOM Justice Protection Programme and work towards the establishment of a Western Hemispheric Justice Protection Programme and establish a CARICOM polygraphing capacity with a view to addressing corruption in law enforcement and other agencies.

The enactment of legislation to allow for plea bargaining, the interception of communications and confiscation of assets connected to criminal activity was also agreed to.

On the issue of illegal firearms, it was agreed that existing regulations that pertain to the use and storage of firearms and ammunition would be enforced ; that a regional database of firearms to be accessible by all regional law enforcement agencies would be developed; that the capacity of detection and surveillance methods in relation to the movement of firearms including the importation, sale, transfer, theft and use of firearms would be increased; along with the introduction of measures to improve systems, procedures, intelligence and training with a view to enhancing border security;

The conference also agreed that in the area of drug trafficking to increase the capability and coordination among law enforcement agencies to develop intelligence to conduct operations, and to enhance the enforcement of laws; maximise the use of available technology in detection, deterrence and seizure of illegal drugs entering and transiting the Region; and ensure the implementation of systems, procedures, intelligence and training with a view to enhancing border security.

And with regard to murder, the development of a specially trained, equipped and dedicated teams of homicide investigators; the full utilisation of forensics, including DNA and comprehensive crime scene management; the introduction video in criminal proceeding, inclusive of ID parades: as well as the timely completion of investigations and improve conditions for speedy prosecution of persons charged, were noted in the statement.

An agreement for the development of monitoring capability, intelligence monitoring and analytic capacity on gang related activity nationally and regionally was reached in the area of gang and youth-related violence, while with regard to kidnapping, the conference agreed to the establishment and training of counter-kidnapping units (response teams and hostage negotiators); increased use of technology and intelligence; as well as for the monitor and target gangs/ individuals whose modus operandi includes kidnapping/ forcible abduction.

And as it relates to deportees, the agreement reached included to pursue negotiations of standardised agreements/MOUs with Canada, to United Kingdom, the United States of America and other states and that such agreements/ MOUs should provide inter alia, for adequate notification periods; the settlement of personal affairs prior to deportation of long-term residents; complete dossiers, including criminal antecedents and medical records where applicable; appropriate arrangements to reduce the financial burden on deported persons, and on receiving countries; support for programmes designed to aid the rehabilitation and reintegration of deported persons in the Region; the establishment of a mandatory requirement for the enforcement of monitoring orders where persons are deported in relation to convictions for specified major offences.

Others, the statement noted, were for the development of an information-sharing protocol to guide the transfer and dissemination of information related to deported persons between relevant law enforcement authorities throughout the Region; and collaboration in the establishment of transition centres in each country to facilitate short-term stays for deported persons without shelter and/or familial support.

The statement noted too, that the Heads of Government agreed that, building on the legacy of the success of the Security Co-operation arrangements put in place for the Cricket World Cup 2007 some of the elements would be upgraded and expanded on a permanent basis.

These include the Advanced Passenger Information System, the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre and the Joint Regional Communications Centre.

In addition, they agreed too, that an Advanced Cargo Information System would be put in place. Discussions would continue with respect to the CARICOM Visa, the CARICOM Travel Card and the Single Domestic Space.

The Heads also agreed to put into operation the Action Plan submitted by the Commissioners of Police and Military Chiefs and supported by the SEPAC and CONSLE. The Plan called for short, medium and long term measures to curb the high levels of crime in the Community. These include a strategy to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons along with the establishment of a Regional Integrated Ballistics Information Network (RIBIN) and a Regional Investigative Management System (RIMS).

An agreement was reached too for the signing of CARICOM Maritime and Air Space Security Co-operation Agreement and the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Treaty by July 2008.