• The workshop’s objective was to strengthen border security by training frontline officers to detect fraudulent documents.
• Experts from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), in Jamaica led the workshop.
• Officers with the DOI, RCIPS and Customs participated in the cross-border training.

GRAND CAYMAN (GIS) – Enhancing border security by detecting illicit documents was the focus of a recent Document Identification Workshop hosted by the Department of Immigration (DOI).

Border control officers with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Customs Department also participated in the cross-border training.

The workshop was held at the University College of the Cayman Islands and welcomed guest presenters, Mr. Desmond Davis and Ms. Monique Lyn Quee from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), in Jamaica.

“The key objective of the workshop was to strengthen aspects of border security through training, coupled with enhancing agency capabilities in recognising fraudulent or manipulated documents. It also aimed to prevent criminals from using those documents to commit crimes,” Acting Chief Immigration Officer, Mr. Bruce Smith said.

During the workshop, experts engaged law enforcement officers with examples of illicit documents, along with case studies and scenarios. The course identified major document types, discussed security features of the most used documents and highlighted areas to inspect when examining a document.

“Fraudulent documents are used to facilitate terrorism, smuggling, drug trafficking, immigration violations, and many other crimes,” Mr. Smith added. “Cross-border trainings like this strengthen relationships between frontline officers, and helps promote the kind of harmonised border management practices that are needed to combat these crimes and keep our borders safe.”

(Photos by: Jamie Hicks, GIS)