Speeches & Op-Eds
Closing Remarks, Royal Bahamas Police Force Tactical Commanders Course Graduation Ceremony
Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters
February 1, 2008
Minister Turnquest, Commissioner Ferguson, friends and colleagues, Good Afternoon –
Thank you for the opportunity to join you today at the conclusion of the “Tactical Commander’s Course”. I am very pleased to be able to convey my congratulations and those of Ambassador Siegel to all of the participants as you complete this intensive course – the culmination of a series of three tactical training modules successfully completed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).
It is particularly gratifying -- though not at all surprising for those of us who work so closely with the RBPF -- to hear that this course is a pilot program that has been offered for the first time anywhere in the world to The Royal Bahamas Police Force. This is due to your eagerness to hone your skills and our experience in working together successfully with the RBPF as partners in every facet of law enforcement over many years.
This program, as you know, is part of the U.S. State Department’s Antiterrorism Assistance Program (ATA), which provides partner countries such as The Bahamas necessary training, equipment and technology to assist in the fight against international terrorism.
I believe your efforts will save lives in case of a terrorist incident, hostage situation, or other serious situation requiring special tactical operations – or “SWAT-team” response in layman’s terms.
Ladies and gentlemen, this course is about preparing leaders to respond, not only to terrorism, but to any crisis. This course was designed for professionals who want not only to take the field, but to take their game to the next level.
The RBPF has repeatedly shown its readiness and willingness to invest, not only in maintaining, but in sharpening its operational crime-fighting skills. That’s why I’m confident that this course will improve the RBPF’s already impressive planning, command, and leadership capabilities. I believe this course will save lives.
The over-riding goal, as I mentioned, is to improve the RBPF’s ability to contribute effectively to worldwide counter-terrorism preparedness and reaction efforts. But it is also about your being ready to handle here at home whatever challenges the daily crime-fighting struggle may throw at you. Your training, your skills and your preparedness, can act as a deterrent not only to potential terrorists – but also to the criminals you face every day on the front lines of protecting a law-abiding society.
Whether it is the drug-runners, the gangs, the human smugglers, or any of the other cowards who prey on productive and peaceful citizens – I know that you are ready to meet the threat as trained professionals.
Criminals, like terrorists, are always on the lookout for “soft targets”. They’re always looking for vulnerabilities. They’re always looking for their next victims.
It’s your job to be one step ahead of them, and our commitment is to help you accomplish that through training courses such as this.
Your participation these past three weeks is part of The Bahamas’ answer to the challenge of rising crime. Your enthusiasm and dedication is part of the RBPF’s commitment to answering that challenge. Your determination is a sign that you will prevail -- that you will turn the tide.
I thank you for participating, I congratulate you on the completion of this course, and I encourage you to keep your skills sharp.
Thank you.