BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

The St Kitts and Nevis gov-ernment has enlisted the services of the Royal Cana-dian Mounted Police (RCMP) to assist in its fight against crime.

"In a matter of months, the RCMP will be here in the federation, implementing this programme that we have developed and they will be funding," Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas said.

Douglas, who this month assumed responsibility for national security, said the partnership with the RCMP was vital since crime is global in its causes and manifestations and "the fight against crime must, similarly, extend beyond our borders as well".

Direct contact

He said he has been maintaining direct contact with the high command of the police force, in order to ensure that a relentless, multi-pronged approach to crime is maintained.

"Our commitment is to quick response, a systematic approach and a high degree of professionalism when a crime has been committed. Effective crime detection is a priority," the prime minister told reporters.

He said the Ministry of National Security must be on the right track since the RCMP is considering replicating, in other Caribbean jurisdictions, the management, crime detection, and a crime-prevention training programme that has been developed in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Priorities

Fifteen murders have been recorded in the twin-island federation in the first eight months of this year and Douglas said that bringing perpetrators to justice swiftly was a priority.

"Heightened proficiency in evidence collection, heightened proficiency in the preparation of case files, heightened profes-sionalism and capacity building, these are all priorities," he added.

Douglas said the recent town hall meetings held by the security forces across the country have been invaluable.