NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to establish co-operation against crime.
The agreement was also endorsed by Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb, Guy Tunnell, Commissioner, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, James R. McDonough, and Police Commissioner Francis Forbes.
The partnership will target gangs, guns, drugs, and money-laundering and will see a liaison officer of the Jamaica Constabulary Force being placed in Miami to facilitate the information exchange and to assist state and federal prosecutions.
Dr. Phillips described the agreement as an important step to stem the illegal smuggling of drugs and guns. According to him, Jamaica and Florida had concerns, as some of the illegal guns in Jamaica originated from that American state, and some of the illegal drugs that enter Florida pass through Jamaican territorial waters.
And Governor Bush said, "This new relationship will reduce crime for the people of Florida and Jamaica," adding that, "It reflects our shared commitment to the rule of law, the public safety of our citizens and the determination we hold to reduce crime."
For his part, Jim McDonough said, "The state of Florida believes that this (partnership) will prove to be an extremely productive effort on behalf of both the United States, particularly Florida, and Jamaica."
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the US Embassy Jamaica, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida and seven other federal and state agencies will co-ordinate information on crime to share with the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Jamaican security officials are also having talks with the New York Police Department to establish a partnership against crime.
