By N. THOMAS-BROWN, Guardian Staff Reporter

nadine@nasguard.com

Security at the police prosecutions building is receiving a much-need upgrade that will incorporate swipe cards and electronic buzzers to better protect sensitive information and personnel.

The new officer in charge of Police Prosecutions, Chief Supt. Keith Bell told The Nassau Guardian that security upgrades were at the top of the list of improvements now being carried out at the Bank Lane office.

"This is a high security area. We are seeking to achieve a system through electronic means and limit the number of persons coming into the building and restrict the areas where they can go," Chief Supt. Bell said.

"As best as we can we will be implementing the use of swipe cards and buzzers to get into the building. Some places will be restricted access [areas], in terms of the number of persons coming in and out of the building. If we have to bring in scanning devices this will have to be done."

And given the recent attack on a Freeport magistrate by a suspect, heightened security is very important, he noted.

As it stands now, the police prosecutions building — which houses the warrants office, two magistrate's courts and clerk offices, among others — may be a security risk as members of the public are allowed to enter the facility without being searched. However, searches are sometimes conducted of persons going into a courtroom in the building.

Chief Supt. Bell said he hoped to reduce the existing security risks and has come up with a comprehensive strategy which is now before Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson. He also recently sent a memo. to staff reminding them to keep doors closed at all times to reduce potential dangers, and monitor prisoners working at the building on a work program.

"I have just been transferred here a month ago. I believe that prosecutions is perhaps the most critical component in the justice system," said Chief Supt. Bell. "We can arrest as many people as we want and charge as many people as we see the evidence exist, but if we don't have that potent criminal justice prosecutorial system then it's all in vain."

Regarding the number of case files employees must deal with daily and the condition of the physical environment, Chief Supt. Bell said that "a healthy environment is conducive to a productive environment."

Employees cannot be productive if work conditions are below fair labor standards, said the senior officer, who noted that part of his objective is to make sure that overall working conditions are improved.

Chief Supt. Bell said the renovations were a part of the commissioner's philosophy on human resources development management.

"We are also looking at the image and reputation of the police force," he said. The commissioner told The Guardian in a recent interview that the police force would be re-named because of the negative imagery that the word "force" implied.

Said Chief Supt. Bell: "As you can see there is a lot of wood around and rotted floorboards. The offices have all fallen into a state of disrepair, there are cracks, rodents, roaches.

"How do you expect a person to be productive in these conditions?" he asked.

Renovations to the building are expected to be completed within six months, said Chief Supt. Bell.