Her announcement came following a ceremony at Government House where long-serving members of the Defence Force were honoured as the Force celebrates its 25th anniversary.
“The government is definitely looking at the Defence Force, Minister Pratt told The Bahama Journal. “As a matter of fact, next week we do have Canadian personnel coming down to meet with us.
She said officials of the Defence Force actually requested the review.
The exercise would give officials a good idea of the needs of the Force, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Minister said.
She also assured that the government still plans to establish a Defence Force Base at Inagua to give the Force a stronger presence in the southern Bahamas as officers continue to participate in the fight against illegal immigration and illegal drugs.
A recent report released by the United States Department of State on International Narcotics Control Strategies stated that while the Defence Force has been instrumental in drug interdiction, inadequate resources hamper the Force, especially at times when the U.S. Coast Guard requests assistance with refugees or drug smugglers.
“Resources are one of the reasons why a review is necessary, Minister Pratt said. “The government is definitely looking at the resources of the Defence Force.
Deficiencies in the Force were also exposed last year in the Lorequin Commission Report, following the inquiring into what has become known as the Inagua Incident.
The Commission investigated the discovery of drugs aboard the Lorequin vessel, which was confiscated by Defence Force officers. But some of the drugs reportedly went missing after it was seized.
The Commission recommended significant changes on the Force, including the removal of certain senior officers from their position.
Minister Pratt said the pending review will be similar to a review carried out on the Royal Bahamas Police Force several years ago.
“Once the review is done we will come back to the Bahamian people and reveal what the recommendations are and [how we will] go forward just like they did with the Police Force.
Minister Pratt noted that after the police review, 140 recommendations were made and 139 were carried out.
By: Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
