Local business owners have expressed concern over the time police officers take to respond to criminal incidents at their establishments.
Speaking at the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Security and Law Enforcement Panel Discussion, Tanya Wright, President of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, said that the business community is particularly concerned with the response time of officers.
“[The challenge is] definitely response,” said Mrs Wright. “I think that business concerns naturally compete with national priorities. So there are times when the response time leaves a lot to be desired.”
Mrs Wright added that in many cases, private security firms respond to scenes faster than the police. “I think that engaging private security firms help because their response time tends to be a lot quicker [than officers],” she said. “But the challenge in that is knowing what their abilities are once they arrive on the scene and whether they have the power to do anything more than simply arrive at a location, and what more they can do beyond that.”
The one-day forum, held at Police Headquarters, focused on how the police and security firm owners could work together to strengthen security in the private sector.
Mrs Wright also called for the duties and limitations of private security firms to become more “transparent” to the public. “I think it is important to identify the respective roles all of the players will play,” she said. “I think if a private security firm knew basically what was the expectation [and] what their full capabilities are in assisting with fighting crime then the private sector will have an added comfort in knowing that they [the security companies] have the full endorsement of the police. So their credentials, from a peacekeeping standpoint, will be that much more enhanced.”
Then the Chamber of Commerce president praised the police department and insisted that local businesses and security firms must work in partnership with local authorities.
“The dialogue aspect is one of the most critical,” said Mrs Wright. “I think from the private sector’s point of view the message has to be reinforced that the police is always going to be regarded as the primary peacekeepers and enforcers of the community. But where the private sector or businesses in particular can help to collaborate is fill whatever positions there may be in the police resources,” she added. “We should ensure that the [RBPF] knows that we are there to help.”
During yesterday’s forum, Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson called for private sector security firms to forge a stronger relationship with local law enforcement.
“It is of vital importance that there is a clear line of communication and sharing of intelligence between various levels of the police and private security providers,” said Mr Farquharson. “Only then will they feel connected to this organisation and only then will we be able to cause the true power of both domestic, national, and international law enforcement co-operation to be felt in a meaningful way. When we make available the tools of national law enforcement to our brothers and sisters, especially those on the front-line who are usually the first to encounter danger, this will improve their work ethics, create the environment for motivation and the overall personal development of individuals,” he explained.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
