Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque commended the management and staff of the Community’s Crime and Security Institution IMPACS on their operations, during his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago since taking office.
According to a press release from the Caricom Secretariat, La Rocque noted that IMPACS staff has put tremendous effort into its operations under what he described as “challenging circumstances.” The May 16 visit also provided an opportunity for LaRocque to be briefed by IMPACS Interim Executive Director Francis Forbes regarding its current status and to highlight its continued contribution to the Regional Crime and Security Agenda. The meeting also discussed ongoing streamlining of the agency with a view to improving efficiency and effectiveness of operations and mandates.
The secretary-general said he was satisfied with the direction in which he saw the agency going and gave his full support. He urged staff to keep focused on the tasks at hand with an eye towards the future, noting that matters related to crime and security would not disappear, the release said. It also noted that through the use of video conferencing the secretary-general was also able to communicate with staff from IMPACS sub-agencies: the Joint Regional Communications Centre located in Barbados and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre in Trinidad.
