NASSAU, The Bahamas --- Expanded collaborations between Specialist Units of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are providing “extremely good outputs” in the war on crime, Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Bernard J. Nottage said.

Dr. Nottage said intelligence gathered by members of the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) and the intelligence units of the Security and Intelligence Branch and Drug Enforcement Unit of the Force, in addition to officials from Interpol, has been instrumental in the planning and execution of police operations.

Dr. Nottage also commended members of the community members whom he said are now “coming forward” with information on crime and criminals.

“Target and location profiles are developed dynamically and provided to the appropriate units of the Force to enable successful operations to take place,” Dr. Nottage said.

“Intelligence-led policing allows members of the Force to be proactive so as to prevent crimes from occurring. In addition, police resources are better deployed and operations and patrols are ‘directed’ as opposed being randomly assigned,” Dr. Nottage added.

Dr. Nottage said contingents from the Drug Enforcement Unit have been extremely effective in targeting and arresting drug dealers and other serious offenders.

“These officers have received the best training and are very skilled at what they do. They have worked tirelessly alongside their colleagues in the face of extreme dangers and specific armed threats. They have successfully diffused a number of potentially volatile situations simply by their presence. They add a specialist component to police operations,” Dr Nottage added.

The National Security Minister said the “revitalisation” of meetings of Heads of National Law Enforcement Agencies [HONLEA] to ensure sustained collaboration and information exchange between law enforcement agencies to counter local and international crime, is also a part of the ever-arching approach to fighting crime in The Bahamas. The meetings commenced in early June of 2012.

Chaired by the Minister of National Security, the meetings are attended by the Minister of State for National Security, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, the Commissioner of Police, the Commander, Defence Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force; the Superintendent of Prisons, the Director of Immigration, the Comptroller of Customs, the Port Controller, and the Director of the National Intelligence Agency.

“The meetings provide a forum for important national security issues to be discussed and acted upon,” Dr. Nottage said. “To date these meetings have produced good results and will continue on a consistent basis to ensure that all law enforcement efforts are aligned across the public safety arena in The Bahamas.”

Headed by Mr. Clifford “Butch” Scavella, Commander, Defence Force (Rtd.), the National Intelligence Agency will comprise officers from all law enforcement departments.

“Steps have already been taken to identify and second those officers to the Agency,” Dr. Nottage said.

Dr. Nottage said the Government of The Bahamas is committed to introducing a sustainable National Crime Agenda to reduce and control crime throughout the country. A key element of this agenda is the implementation of Project Safe Bahamas and Operation Cease Fire.

“Members of the public are now expressing positive sentiments and the fear of crime is abating. While we are not able to assign a numerical value to ‘the fear of crime’ members of the public are quite vocal in expressing their pleasure and are saying that they feel safer,” Dr. Nottage added.