The Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Tara Rivers, recently began meeting with the management and staff of the Ministry’s departments to review first year achievements and discuss strategic priorities going forward.

“I first met with senior management in all Departments shortly after taking up my role as Minister for Financial Services and Home Affairs last year to begin learning about the services being delivered and gain an appreciation for what they identified as key projects for implementation in the upcoming budget cycle” Minister Rivers said. “I receive regular progress updates from the Chief Officer and his senior team, but it is important for me to visit with them from time to time so that we can dialogue in person about their successes and challenges to date. That way I can better support their efforts and really make sure the community is aware of the great work they are doing.”

On 27 April 2018 Minister Rivers, along with Chief Officer Dax Basdeo and Deputy Chief Officer Kathryn Dinspel-Powell, met with the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) Director Julian Lewis.

During her visit, the team discussed developments with the new national emergency radio system, updates to the national CCTV system and other upcoming initiatives that will further enhance the core services of DPSC.

“There are several projects currently in the works at DPSC, and with the support of Minister Rivers, we continue to improve our strategic framework and provide the country with world-class public-safety communications,” Director Lewis said.

On 3 May 2018, Minister Rivers then visited the staff of the Department of Community Rehabilitation (DCR).

Her visit to the department began with a tour of the office, where she was able to speak with members of staff to learn more about their roles in the department.

During the visit, Minister Rivers met with the Acting Director, Lisa Hill-Malice, and other senior managers to get an update on some of the Department’s recent initiatives and plans for upcoming programmes.

“We are so appreciative of the support from Minister Rivers, and the Ministry as a whole, Ms. Malice explained. “She has truly advocated for us to have the resources we need to provide the best service to our clients. There is a lot of misunderstanding of the true purpose of offender rehabilitation and I’m glad that the Ministry is striving to make the department’s work more visible to the community.”

Minister Rivers will visit with Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) and Her Majesty’s Cayman Islands Prison Service (HMCIPS) leaders within the coming weeks. She also continues to have similar engagement and dialogue with the Financial Services related Departments.