Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin (left), speaks with newly appointed Minister of National Security, Colonel Trevor MacMillan (second left), as they met for a brief discussion at the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Annual General Meeting, which started yesterday at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios, St Ann. Looking on are Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Bent and Darwin Dottin, president of the ACCP, the Commissioner of Police for Barbados; and Rear Admiral Stewart Saunders (right), chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force. - Photo by Noel Thompson

WESTERN BUREAU:

Newly appointed Minister of National Security, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, has blamed the lucrative drug trade as the primary cause of the escalating crime rate across the Caribbean.

MacMillan said the situation was a stark reality, reminding law enforcement officers from the region that the awesome task and responsibility to lead the charge in tackling this grave social ill rests with all to fight in a collective effort.

"It is a task that is beyond the capacity and capability of any one country or institution," MacMillan said. He was delivering his first public speech since his appointment to commissioners of police from across the region at the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police Annual General Meeting and Conference, which opened at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios, St Ann, yesterday.

Methods to fight crime

The conference is slated to end next Monday and is aimed at establishing methods to fight crime, drug and firearms trafficking in the region.

MacMillan said it was important for the region to continue to deepen and strengthen security cooperation at all levels and has urged the police commissioners to act on decisions and policies that evolve from their conferences.

He also urged commissioners to endeavour to build a 100 per cent confidence level among the citizens and police forces regionally.