RSS working on improving human resources

The Regional Security System (RSS) is committed to improving the human resource capacity of law enforcement across the region.

According to Grantley Watson, Executive Director of the RSS, the regional entity has embarked on the conceptualisation and implementation of a holistic human resource strategy. That strategy, he explained, is focused on the professionalisation of the law enforcement entities within its Member States, as the RSS has recognised the importance of personnel management and structured capacity building mechanisms, to assist with the continued professionalisation of its Member Forces. As such, he said, it will continue to implement the strategy through important training programmes which are in keeping with developments in the security sector.

He made the comments while speaking at the closing ceremony of a recently held course for crime scene first responders, while noting the importance of training personnel to adequately do the job of policing.

“The manner of preservation of the crime scene and its evidence, techniques for searching the crime scene, recording of exhibits and interviewing witnesses are often seen by some as deficiencies in Caribbean policing and people would have thought that any such deficiencies would have contributed to the number of unsolved cases in the region. With the current levels of perceived mistrust in police forces, and feelings of citizen insecurity across the Anglophone Caribbean as indicated in the United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 2010, it is fair to say that the current policing techniques need to be enhanced in order to encourage the desired high levels of community support across the citizenry,” he said.

With that in mind, Watson added it is possible that policing techniques which demonstrate transparency such as scientific modes of inquiry in investigation would increase public confidence in the ability of law enforcement officers to tackle crime and ensure protection of human rights. That is among one of the reasons, he said, that training courses are important to help improve the efficiency of the Forces; and indirectly, he suggested, such courses contribute to the enhancement of community relations with the Force through the development of a positive image in the eyes of the citizens.

“Policemen should be regarded as trained professionals who attack crime with an army of technical aids… I do not wish to leave you with the impression that the simple inclusion of scientific techniques in police investigation is all that is required to professionalise the police force. Indeed, you have to look at capacity building as a whole. Capacity building is one of the key ingredients to change. Capacity building in a structured setting, coupled with top management support and efficient personnel management, could be used to transform a Force for the better,” he stated. (JRT)