Lawmen Team Up To Prosecute Organised Crime

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police

Tuesday, 12 June 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua, St John’s – In an effort to bring more offenders of organized crime to justice, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) conducted a seminar to get the various law enforcement agencies up to speed.

The Police Prosecution Unit and the Proceeds of Crime Unit of the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, and the ONDCP were the targets of last Friday’s Seminar on Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Organized Crime.
 
In his opening remarks, ONDCP Director Lt Col Edward Croft spoke of the need to improve the collaboration between the investigators and the prosecutors so that greater success was realized in the courts.
 
He further indicated that this workshop would assist the process by allowing the groups to discuss, address and clarify issues that will enhance greater efficiency and allow the focus to remain on bringing those persons or groups who engage in organized crime to justice.
 
The resource person was Daniel Suter, a Criminal Justice Adviser to the Eastern Caribbean, attached to the British High Commission in Bridgetown Barbados. He highlighted the various guidelines and procedural applications which can be utilized in law enforcement and the judicial processes.
 
These included the use of electronic devices in the investigating and interview processes, how to eliminate some of the challenges encountered during prosecution, covert policing, chain of custody, and the need for a guide to assist the public in understanding how the prosecution process functions.
 
Various aspects of existing legislation relating to ways in which investigators and prosecutors can be more effective when matters are brought before the court were also discussed.
 

Mr. Suter also stressed the need for the establishment of a National Prosecution Service whereby Prosecutors and the Director of Public Prosecutions would be housed in the same central location. This effort would synergize the process and facilitate greater effectiveness.
 
Feedback from the participants suggested that based on the nation’s increased vigilance with respect to organized crime, the information was timely and quite relevant to Antigua & Barbuda.
 
The Crown Counsel from the DPP’s office said it was an excellent presentation and was quite pleased with the incorporation of the other agencies.
 
Officers from the ONDCP echoed the sentiments of the representatives from the other agencies and also expressed great interest in the areas of legislation which would allow for greater effectiveness in carrying out the functions of the ONDCP.
 
All of the participants were unanimous in the view that training was timely and could only serve to enhance the overall development of law enforcement as well as the justice system.
 
A copy of the Guide to Investigation and Prosecution of Organized Crime was presented to the Director of ONDCP.

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