JAMAICA'S PORT SECURITY PROCEDURES ADOPTED AS WORLD BENCHMARK

Jamaica was among the first countries to meet new security requirements for July of last year, in keeping with the Ship and Port Facilities Security Code. This was revealed by Minister of Transport and Works, the honourable Robert Pickersgill, who was speaking at a graduation ceremony for officers in the Port Security Corps, on Thursday August 4, 2005. The Minister said that Jamaica was subjected to a comprehensive audit in March this year under the United States International Port Security Programme. Arising out of the audit the US Department of Homeland Security decided to adopt Jamaica's port security procedures as a world benchmark (international best practice) to be used by other ports worldwide.

In continuing to laud the work of the Port Security Corps, the Minister said that last year, the Corps was instrumental in the interdiction of some five hundred and seventeen (517) kilograms of marijuana and eight (8) kilograms of cocaine at the Norman Manley International Airport and one hundred and thirty six (136) kilograms of marijuana and five (5) kilograms of cocaine at the Sangster International Airport. Additionally, the officers serviced one thousand, one hundred and seventy (1177) vessels at APM Terminals and provided on board security, transshipment shipside duties and are currently involved in access control to the port of Kingston and around-the-clock mobile surveillance. He attributed the effectiveness of the Corps to the training of it's officers.

The Minister said that "the Corps lays claim to having the most comprehensive training course in the security industry in Jamaica". The Corps has been certified by the Port Authority of Jamaica as a Recognised Security Organization (RSO) and just last year two of the its instructors were certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to conduct Aviation Security training course (AVSEC). Minister Pickersgill pointed out that the training and upgrading of skills of officers have been made even more critical in light of recent events. He mentioned the 9/11 attacks, attacks on resorts in Bali and Indonesia and the recent attacks on the London transport systems.

The Corps intends to secure more opportunities for specialized training of its personnel. In that regard the Minister took the opportunity to thank the United States Embassy and the British and Canadian High Commissions who assisted in this area, as well as in helping to meet other resource requirements of the Corps.

The Port Security Corps turned out it's 86th and 87th batch of graduates between August 4, 2005 and August 5, 2005. Twenty (25) officers were presented with certificates in a ceremony held in Kingston on August 4, 2005 and Thirty (30) officers received their accreditations in Montego Bay on August 5, 2005. Both graduating class brought the Corps compliment of officers to six hundred and twenty one (621).

The officers were instructed in: Human and Public Relations, Preparing Court Cases, Drug Concealment Methods, Air and Maritime Documentation, The Dangerous Drugs Act, Assaults, The Larceny Act, Arrest Procedure & Practical, Internal Cargo Conspiracy, Transshipment Documentation, Diplomatic Immunity & Privileges, Aviation Security, Recognition of Explosive Devices, Handling Hazardous Materials, Recognition of Dangerous Drugs, Terrorism, International Shipping Laws & Procedural Standards, The District Constable Act and, Professional Image. Amongst the 25 males graduating in Kingston were eight (8) person specially trained to be called upon in times of emergency, they comprise the Port Security Corps' first reserve team.

All twenty (25) officers from Kingston have been deployed to the Seaport in Kingston and the thirty (30) officers from Montego Bay have been deployed to the Sangster International Airport.