"IT HAS become pertinent that a body-search policy be implemented due to the steady increase in incidence of contraband found on vessels entering and leaving our port facilities," stated Deputy Commissioner of Police Linval Bailey. He was addressing stakeholders of the shipping industry at a forum on Thursday, July 9, at the King Port Conference Room, Kingston Wharves Limited.

DCP Bailey outlined the procedures to be employed at the island's ports, with a view to maximising security and adhering to international standards related to searches contained in the International Ships and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). "We do not want Port Bustamante to be blacklisted by international shipping agents," said Bailey, "We, therefore, need the cooperation of all industry players to ensure that Jamaica complies with these regulations, as failure to do so will affect trade internationally and, ultimately, our economy," he continued.

Bailey highlighted that random body searches will be carried out at all entrances to the port while mandatory searches will be done in circumstances where persons are boarding vessels docked at the port.

Implementation, he stressed, would be done in three phases:

Phase 1 - Random searches at the entrances and mandatory at the gangways.

Phase 2 - Mandatory body searches at all entrances.

Phase 3 - No firearm policy for ports.

The Port Authority of Jamaica, in conjunction with Security Administrators Limited, he advised, will introduce innovative security systems, such as:

1. An electronic work-ticket system at the Kingston Container Terminal, which allows only workers with valid work tickets access to ports. These will be automatically disabled when off duty;

2. A turnstile-security system at Kingston Wharves Limited to combat the security challenges currently being experienced.

Bailey assured the gathering that special arrangements were being made to deal with licensed firearm holders and government officials, and that all searches would be carried out in accordance with the Port Authority of Jamaica Act and the Customs Act.

Bailey concluded that there were other plans being considered to further improve port security and expressed that ultimately, compliance by all would be beneficial to the process.

The first phase of the body-search policy for port facilities and ships was implemented on July 13.