BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 14, 2018 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister)– The Team Unity Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, acting on the advice of the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and other technocrats in the Ministry of National Security, approved the recommendation to invite the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) to deploy forces to St. Kitts and Nevis.
In a televised address to the nation on Saturday (October 13) evening, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, indicated that RSS forces began arriving into the Federation on Wednesday, October 10, and will continue to arrive into St. Kitts and Nevis in sufficient numbers to assist our ongoing efforts at ensuring citizen safety and security.
Noting his administration’s concern about the incidences of criminal acts in the country, Prime Minister Harris stated, “This deployment of the RSS to St. Kitts and Nevis demonstrates yet another example of the Team Unity Government’s commitment to ensure the safety and security of you, our beloved citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The National Security Minister further insisted that the police force would benefit from the additional manpower as the “shortage of manpower affects the ability of the Police to properly execute their strategic plan and has prompted the call from them for the RSS to augment the number of security personnel on the ground.”
Dr. Harris used his national address to ask for the fullest understanding and cooperation of the general public in their engagement with the RSS members and the members of the local security forces, adding, “Public safety and security are my Government’s highest priorities and no stone shall be left unturned and no effort or expense spared in ensuring that all Kittitians and Nevisians and all who call St. Kitts and Nevis home are safe and secure.”
Prime Minister Harris said the RSS forces will remain in St. Kitts and Nevis for as long as necessary until the security forces advise that their presence is no longer required.
