NATIONAL SECURITY COUNIL OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS – POST MEETING SUMMARIES

The National Security Council (NSC) has agreed to His Excellency the Governor’s request to publish short updates on its meetings to enhance transparency and accountability. The NSC’s regular meeting takes place monthly but it can also be convened at short notice by His Excellency the Governor or at the request of the Hon Premier or other NSC members.

Summaries of the last 4 meetings are below. His Excellency the Governor Mr. Martyn Roper, OBE, chaired meetings of the National Security Council held in the Cabinet Conference Room, Government Administration Building.

At the meeting held on Tuesday, 8th March 2022, the National Security Council:

• received a security briefing from the Acting Commissioner of Police including crime statistics and updates on efforts to address criminal activity and traffic accidents and driving under the influence;

• received a briefing from the Director of Customs and Border Control on significant seizures of illegal drugs including the recovery of fentanyl; and

• received an update led by the Hon Attorney General on Russia sanctions. Representatives from relevant public service entities including the Financial Reporting Authority (the sanctions coordinator), Maritime Authority Cayman Islands, Civil Aviation Authority, General Registry, Land Registry also provided updates on the status of the implementation of Russia sanctions. A number of actions were recommended including the implementation of a proactive communications strategy around Russia Sanctions.

At the meeting held on Tuesday 12th April 2022, the National Security Council:

• received a security briefing from the Commissioner of Police including crime statistics for the first quarter of 2022 and updates on efforts to address criminal activity including the recovery of several illegal firearms, significant drug seizures and the break-up of an illegal gambling ring. The launch of a new Traffic Unit in Bodden Town was confirmed; and

• received a briefing from the Director of Customs and Border Control on new interceptions of fentanyl and plans to conduct multi-agency training on handling fentanyl.

At the meeting held on Tuesday 10th May 2022, the National Security Council:

• received a security briefing from the Commissioner of Police including updates on efforts to address criminal activity including the two recent firearms related murders and the interception and recovery of several illegal firearms;

• received a briefing from the Director of Customs and Border Control on recent interceptions of illegal drugs and other significant seizures at the airport. The Director also provided an update regarding irregular Cuban migrants and noted the steps being taken to address the rapid increase in arrivals including the convening of the Mass Migration Committee; and

• received a presentation by the Cayman Islands Regiment on its role and mission, disaster relief capacity, ongoing recruitment, training and development and its readiness for the upcoming hurricane season.

At the meeting held on Tuesday 21st June 2022, the National Security Council:

• received a security briefing from the Acting Commissioner of Police on year to date crime statistics, as well as efforts to address criminal activity including arrests for a number of recent firearms incidents including a civilian staff member of the RCIPS;

• received a briefing from the Director of Customs and Border Control on recent interceptions of illegal drugs, an update on the number of irregular Cuban migrants who are on the island and the interception of an attempt to traffic illegal workers to the Cayman Islands; and

• received a briefing by His Excellency the Governor of an offer from a local charity to make a significant financial contribution to fund national security projects as identified by various CIG stakeholders.

Other issues of national security importance discussed by the National Security Council include:

• cyber security and development of a national risk assessment;

• a new policy on security vetting of staff and classification of documents;

• the negative impact on crime from widespread illegal gambling and the need to strengthen fines and legislation to enable the confiscation of the proceeds of crime; and

• the worsening road safety situation, and recommendations to lower the DUI limit and introduce speed cameras.

Published by the Cabinet Office on Tuesday, 5th July 2022.

Guidance Notes:

1. The National Security Council is established under section 58 of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order (as amended).

2. NSC Members are as follows: His Excellency the Governor Mr. Martyn Roper, OBE (Chair); Hon. G. Wayne Panton, Premier; Hon. Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor; Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister; Hon. Andre Ebanks, Minister; Hon. Samuel Bulgin QC, Attorney General; Hon. Roy McTaggart, Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Derek Byrne, Commissioner of Police; Mr. Ian Pairaudeau, civil society representative; and Mr. Christopher Philips, civil society representative.

3. Post meeting summaries will be published by the Cabinet Office following a meeting of the National Security Council.

4. Only a summary of the decisions will be published.

5. National Security Council discussions will not be disclosed.

6. Summaries of decisions of a sensitive nature, matters of national security, those where publication breaches regional or international conventions and those relating to personal privacy will not be disclosed.

7. Post meeting summaries will be available on gov.ky and the Cayman Islands Government’s digital channels.