Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration
Key Officials
Minister - Senator Charles Savarin
Permanent Secretary - Mr. Felix Gregoire
Responsibilities
The Departments which fall under the purview of the Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration are:
- Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
- Fire and Ambulance Services Division
- Prison Services Division
- Labour Division
- Immigration Department
- Establishment, Personnel and Public Service Training
The Ministry of National Security,Labour and Immigration is guided by the National Policy on Crime Prevention and Control in Dominica approved by Cabinet in May 2006. Some of the broad objectives of the Policy are:
To develop a constructive, holistic and multi-sectoral approach to crime as per prevention and control;
To establish a national mechanism to facilitate the police in effectively addressing national security, crime prevention and control;
To modernize and improve the criminal and juvenile justice system ensuring speedy, efficient and assessable justice for all;
To place greater emphasis on youths, especially those at risk of being victims of perpetrators of criminal and deviant acts;
To plan and execute a well designed public education campaign on crime and violence prevention and control;
The report of the National Symposium on Crime determined that an appropriate mechanism to address the needs is the establishment of two bodies dealing with issues of crime at different levels in the country. These were the establishment of the National Security Council and the National Commission on Crime. These two committees have been established headed by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police respectively.
Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force
The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force is governed by the Police Act Chapter 14:01 of the Revised Laws of Dominica. The Commissioner of Police (Mr. Matthias Lestrade) is the head of the Police Force with assistance from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Mr. Hobbes Jno. Baptiste). The ranks include:
Gazetted Officers:
- Commissioner of Police
- Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Superintendent of Police
- Assistant Superintendent of Police
Subordinate Officers:
- Inspectors
- Station Sergeants
- Sergeants
- Corporals
- Constables
The Police Force presently consists of 444 established officers.
Police Welfare Association
The Police Welfare Association is an association which consists of all members of the Police Force below the rank of Assistant Superintendent, which acts through the Executive Committee. The duty of the Committee is to make representation with regard to all matters affecting the general welfare and efficiency of the Police Force as a whole.
Fire and Ambulance Services Division
The Fire and Ambulance Services Division is governed by Chapter 42:60 of the Revised Laws of Dominica under the supervision of the Chief Fire Officer. The post is presently held by Mr. Josiah Dupuis. The ranks of the Fire and Ambulance Services Division consist of:
- Chief Fire Officer (1)
- Deputy Chief Fire Officer (1)
- Station Officer (5)
- Sub-station Officer (7)
- Fire Officer (70)
- Volunteers
- Third Officer
- Sub-Officer
- Fire Officer
A Fire Officer is defined as a full-time member of the Fire and Ambulance Service. A Volunteer Fire Officer is a part-time member of the Fire and Ambulance Services. Presently, the establishment consists of 95 Fire Officers.
Presently there are no Volunteer Fire Fighters, however, several persons from the following communities have received training in Fire fighting and prevention techniques: Calibishie, Woodford Hill, Wesley, Marigot, Atkinson, Salybia and Salisbury.
Dominica Prison Services
The Prisons Services Division is established under the Prisons Act Chapter 12:70 of the Revised Laws of Dominica. The superintendence and management of the Prisons is made up of the Superintendent of Prisons and 62 other staff members.
The other ranks of the Prison Services Division include:
- Superintendent of Prisons (1)
- Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (1)
- Chief Prison Officer (1)
- Principal Prison Officer (6)
- Senior Prison Officers (13)
- Prison Officers (40)
A Visiting Committee is established to visit the prisons on a weekly basis and their mandate includes cooperation with the Superintendent in promoting the efficiency of the Prisons, provide advice as to the education, recreation, employment and welfare of the prisoners.
Labour Division
The work of the Labour Division is governed by the Labour Standards Act Chapter 89:05 of the Revised Laws of Dominica. The Department is headed by the Labour Commissioner (Mr. Matthew LeBlanc) assisted by the Deputy Labour Commissioner, Labour Officers and other support staff.
The Department is responsible for Citizenship and Naturalization, work and residence permits, industrial relations, labour and productivity, recruitment of workers, trade disputes and Trade Union issues.