THE Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE), at its Second Special Meeting, discussed the reshaping of the architecture and governance for Crime and Security in the Region in order to achieve increased benefits for Member States. In particular, CONSLE paid attention to the achievement of synergies among the various regional agencies/institutions involved in Crime and Security. The Council in so doing was responding to the concerns of Heads of Government, as expressed at their Thirty-Second Regular Meeting of the Conference held in Basseterre St. Kitts, earlier this month.

The meeting, held by video conference yesterday, also received an update on the diagnostic audit in progress at the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS). The diagnostic audit, which will cover the period 2006 to 2011, was instituted following a preliminary investigation of media allegations levelled against the agency. The Council agreed that those immunities granted to IMPACS, which are under CONSLE’s control, should be waived upon request, in the event of a criminal investigation.

The ministers advanced the preparations for a Special Meeting of Heads of Government on Crime and Security which had been agreed upon at the recent meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government in St Kitts and Nevis.

The Council received a report from the Chairman of CONSLE, Dr Errol Cort, Minister of National Security and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda on the discussions relative to Crime and Security at the St Kitts and Nevis Conference.