Minister of National Security Hon. Peter Bunting outlined several achievements within the Ministry of National Security during his sectoral presentation in parliament.

One major success outlined by the Minister is a more than threefold increase in applications processed at the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA).

“As a result of this increased rate of processing, the backlog of three years of applications was cleared within a one-year period” said the Minister.

Minister Bunting also outlined that a new High Security Identification Card was recently implemented by the FLA. The Minister says an appropriate location is now being sought to house the authority. He said the option of establishing a Mandeville office is also being explored.

Minister Bunting, an avid user of technology, was happy to point out that the MNS is taking advantage of its capabilities.   The Minister spoke about the introduction of a Blackberry smart phone application to check the authenticity of drivers’ licenses and motor vehicle documents, expansion of CCTV surveillance, and an upgrade of the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) at a cost of J$260 million.

“In the months and years to come, MOCA will be the catalyst for a large reduction in major organised crime in Jamaica,” Minister Bunting said.

Addressing the Forensic Science Laboratory Minister Bunting said there was a 64% increase in the number of forensic, DNA and ballistics certificates produced in comparison to the previous year.  He said there are plans to upgrade the Forensic Lab to an Executive Agency with the ability to generate revenue.

The Minister said also that training programmes for lab technicians will be increased and there is hope to, in the future; facilitate the Regional Integrated Ballistics Information Network (RIBIN), in the sharing of ballistics data among CARICOM countries.  

Regarding legislation Minister Bunting said there were five legislative priorities pursued over the past year.  Among them are the proceeds of Crime Act and the Law Reform Act which was passed in March. The Minister says this Act will specifically target the “Lottery scam” advance fee fraud and other fraudulent transactions.

Minister Bunting also made reference to three bills that were among the legislative priorities: the Criminal Justice Act, DNA Evidence Act, and the Trafficking in Persons Bill. He said they would soon be tabled in Parliament with the Criminal Justice Act to be tabled as early as next week.