By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dominica’s government says it is committed to its fight on crime, and is ramping up efforts to curtail criminal behaviour on the island.

“The police, in particular, have stepped up their action in an effort to increase and improve the security of the state and the safety of the people,” National Security Minister Charles Savarin told Parliament last week.

According to Savarin, Dominica’s government has expanded the police force from 450 to 500.

“We continue to train our policemen at home and abroad in an effort to stem violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the community,” he said.

Part of that effort has involved community outreach, he said, with the government having held discussions with churches in Dominica.

It mirrors recent efforts in the Bahamas, which has expanded its so-called “immersion” programme in an effort to improve police officers’ interaction with their local communities.

Dominica has also recently formed a cabinet subcommittee on crime that has additionally been working on community outreach.