…to improve law enforcement agencies and judicial system
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, has welcomed cooperation between the United States and CARICOM countries that would allow for the improvement of the capacity of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes while respecting human rights. The Minister was responding on behalf of CARICOM to the main presentation given on behalf of the United States by US Attorney-General Eric Holder at the just concluded Inaugural Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue.

Mr. Rohee referred in particular to the archaic models, historical circumstances and a lack of human and material capacities as some of the key factors responsible for deficiencies in the criminal justice system.  He pointed to the need for training and advanced technology to overcome inefficiency and ineffectiveness.

Addressing the subject of how effective judicial systems contribute to citizen safety, the Minister referred to the advantages to be gained in sharing best practices amongst the respective judiciaries.  In this regard, he noted that the United States and the Caribbean intended to equip and train authorities and personnel of judicial, law enforcement and penal systems, as well as coordinate training and technical assistance with CICAD and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

U.S. Attorney-General Eric Holder, who shared the podium with Mr. Rohee, described the discussions as historic and critical.  He stated that the U.S. and the Caribbean shared many priorities – securing borders, eliminating gangs and violence, curbing drug trafficking, reducing recidivism, fighting terrorism and much more.
Mr. Holder stated that as U.S. Attorney General and that nation’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, he recognized that these threats burden not only the United States and individual law enforcement communities, but it also places citizens throughout the Caribbean at risk.  He concluded that the most powerful need to address these threats was partnership.