RSS uses innovative approach to tackle crime, corruption

The Regional Security System (RSS) is fully committed to adapting to the ever changing security landscape that includes increasingly sophisticated criminal threats.

According to the Chairman of the RSS Council of Ministers, and Minister of Home Affairs, Legal Affairs and National Security in St. Lucia Senator Hermangild Francis, the RSS Asset Recovery Unit, which commenced operations in December 2015, is an innovative approach to tackling serious organised crime and corruption in the region.

He said the objective of the Recovery Unit is achieved through building capacity and capability of law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners, cultivating partnerships, and the robust application of the proceeds of crime and money laundering legislation.

“The increased sophistication in criminality that I referred to earlier always has a cyber or digital nexus. In this regard, on August 18, 2017, the RSS has operationalised the Digital Forensics Lab to conduct accurate analysis of electronic data that is critical to law enforcement investigations and successful prosecutions,” he said.

The Chairman of the RSS Council of Ministers spoke about the crime fighting initiatives being undertaken by the RSS, as he delivered remarks at the Security System’s 35th Anniversary church service, held at the Bethel Methodist Church, on Sunday.

The Asset Recovery Unit is funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). Although based in Barbados, it covers the seven independent countries of the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The team also provides wider regional support to include key transit countries and the overseas territories of the United Kingdom.

To date, training has been conducted in areas including, Civil Forfeiture, Offshore Financial Systems, Cash Seizure, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, Confiscation, Financial Investigations, Open Source Intelligence Training (OSINT), Online Undercover Training and Managers Training in Financial Investigations. (AH)