GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman – Government and members of the Opposition gave unanimous support in the Legislative Assembly to approve a second Private Member’s Motion Monday [25] night following an amendment that removed a controversial reference to a lack of confidence in the Royal Islands Police Service.

East End Elected Member Mr. Arden McLean had tabled a motion to resolve that “the Legislative Assembly does declare a lack of confidence in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the governance of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and consider asking H.E. The Governor to appoint an independent team to review the police methodology of administration and to identify a Caymanian to lead the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service”. North Side Elected Member Ezzard Miller seconded the motion.

During his introduction of the motion, Mr. McLean acknowledged that Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin and other Government members had stated their concerns with the drafting of the motion in that it called for a lack of confidence in the rank and file officers of the RCIPS.

Despite the motion actually stating this, Mr. McLean said that had not been his intent.

During his debate, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson also stated his concerns about the motion calling for a lack of confidence in RCIPS and he noted that everyday police officers put their lives at risk to protect the public. He also highlighted the number of arrests made by the police, the number of criminal matters before the Courts and the number of criminals in Cayman’s prison system as evidence of the success and hard work of the women and men in the RCIPS.

He also pointed out other achievements within the Service and said that although there may be some concerns, Members of the Legislative Assembly should be seen to support the police.

After hours of debate, with only two opposition members having spoken, no other members of the Assembly indicated their willingness to speak. The Speaker then called Mr. McLean to wind up, during which he noted his willingness to amend the motion to a form that Government could accept.

With input from the Premier and agreement of the movers, the motion was amended to read that “the Legislative Assembly requests H.E. The Governor to appoint an independent team to review the police methodology of administration and develop a succession plan for Caymanian officers to lead the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service within four years”.

That succession plan is to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. McLaughlin said the original motion could not be accepted by the Government because it was asking elected members of the country to declare a total lack of confidence in all aspects of the RCIPS; something that could lead to more departures of officers from the service and put the security of the Cayman Islands in jeopardy.

In addition to quelling the notion that there is no confidence in the Police Service, the amendment also ensures that an independent team will review the administration of the Service and that a plan is drawn up to assure that Caymanian officers are trained to lead the RCIPS within four years.