(No. 400 – December 17, 2010 – 9 a.m. ET) The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced that two senior Canadian police experts will serve with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) as part of Canada’s drive to strengthen security in the Americas.
“This project demonstrates Canada’s commitment to addressing security challenges in our neighbourhood,” said Minister of State Kent. “Every investment Canada makes in the region helps to enhance security at home.”
Canada’s contribution will be used to place two senior Canadian police experts in the posts of RTCIPF commissioner and deputy commissioner for two years. These placements will provide the continuity of leadership necessary for reforms of the Force to proceed, while also helping build security-sector capacity that directly benefits Canadians and the Caribbean region as a whole.
“Canada is committed to working collaboratively throughout the Americas to establish a safer and more prosperous hemisphere,” said Minister of State Kent. “This important initiative shows we can achieve effective results by working with our regional partners to advance our shared objectives.”
This project will be funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP), which was announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in August 2009. The ACCBP provides funding and technical assistance to combat transnational crime in the areas of drug trafficking, corruption, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, money laundering, proceeds of crime, security-sector reform and crime prevention.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Meredith McDonald
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-944-7013
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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