According to a publication by the Cabinet Office, the National Security Council held a meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, to discuss the security of Cayman’s borders and ongoing gun violence. The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs. Jane Owen.
At this meeting, the National Security Council:
Received an update from the Commissioner of Police in relation to the ongoing investigation relating to the February 25, 2024, shooting incident in West Bay. The Council was advised that two persons had been arrested and later released on police bail. The RCIPS continue to appeal to the public for any information related to this incidentRecommended the establishment of a National Security Coordination Board to address the critical issue of preventing the illegal importation of drugs and firearms and safeguarding in the Cayman IslandsRecommended the establishment of a Coastal Surveillance System to provide increased domain awareness of activities in and around the Cayman IslandsRecommended the Department of Customs and Border Control to make a submission to Cabinet regarding its resource requirementsReceived a presentation from the Hon. Attorney General on relevant legislative framework; andNoted the recent concerning events in Haiti.
About the National Security Council
According to the Constitution of the Cayman Islands, the National Security Council shall advise the Governor on matters relating to internal security, with the exception of operational and staffing matters, and the Governor shall be obliged to act in accordance with the advice of the Council, unless he or she considers that giving effect to the advice would adversely affect Her Majesty’s interest (whether in respect of the United Kingdom or the Cayman Islands); and where the Governor has acted otherwise than in accordance with the advice of the Council, he or she shall report to the Council at its next meeting.
The members of the National Security Council are Her Excellency the Governor Mrs. Jane Owen (Chair), Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Premier, Hon. Andre Ebanks, Deputy Premier, Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister, Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor, Hon. Samuel Bulgin, KC, Attorney General, Hon. Roy McTaggart, Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Kurt Walton, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gilbert McLean, civil society representative and Mr. Christopher Philips, civil society representative.
