Sep 25 - Number Six: GSD “Oblivious” To Reality Of Government Investment In RGP And HM Customs
The Government says the GSD continue to repeat their “same, tired argument” on Government spending.
Number Six says the party’s latest press release accuses the Government of spending too much money whilst simultaneously alleging that the Government is not spending enough money on priority areas such as the Royal Gibraltar Police and HM Customs.
A statement continued: “Well, which is it? Whilst the GSD fall back on their same meaningless narrative, the fact is that this Government has made significant investments in the resources, complement and capital of both the RGP and Customs. They are a priority for this Government, they have been since this administration began, and they will continue to be in the years to come.
“Since 2011, the RGP have received a 55% increase in funding whilst Customs have received a 100% increase in funds. That is twice the amount of money spent on HM Customs in 2018 than 2011.
“In HM Customs alone, the 100% spending increase has been used to:
- Employ 67 more Customs Officers
- Create a dedicated Marine Section to protect our waters 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Purchase 2 new powerful rigid hulled inflatable boats and marine specialist equipment, especially for the new Customs Marine Section
- Create a ‘Controls’ Section to carry out physical checks of incoming and outgoing commercial vehicles
- Establish 4 larger self-contained flexible shifts covering Four Corners, Airport and Outfield duties
- Establish a land based flexible Anti-Smuggling Team, who are presently tasked with anti- drug operations
- Create a drugs and cash detector Dog Unit, who work with RGP at major cultural and other events
- Invest in specialist, new vehicles and increased training
Since 2011, a 55% increase in Government’s spending on the RGP has allowed them to:
- Recruit 15 more sworn-in Police Officers (a 7% increase to the complement)
- Take over the management of 9 School Crossing Officers
- Create the RGP Dog Section, with a capability of both general purpose dogs and specialist search dogs (drugs/firearms/explosive dogs)
- Acquire two interceptor vessels, the Sir John Chapple and the Sir Francis Richards, and pay for their upkeep
- Acquire the 25m patrol vessel Sir William Jackson and the 26m patrol vessel Sir Adrian Johns
- Fit a quayside crane
- Construct the Marine Section facility at Gunwharf
- Establish and furnish a sub-station at Casemates
- Introduce a DNA database, public CCTV system and live scan fingerprint capture and recognition technology, and invest in Cyclops (integrated IT platform that extends to other stakeholders)
- Invest in handheld breathalysers and drug wipes
- Provide body-worn cameras, incapacitant spray and body armour for the personal protection of Officers
- Purchase a Command Vehicle
- Introduce Hi –Tech Crime Unit equipment
- Dedicate more money to investigations and training
- Establish a more resilient and modern Armed Policing command structure
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: ‘The hypocrisy of the GSD is plain for all to see. At the same time as accusing the Government of spending too much in the public sector and employing too many people, Mr Feetham suddenly claims that we should spend more and employ more in the RGP and HM Customs. The reality – which Mr Feetham seems oblivious to – is that in real terms, this Government is investing more in the RGP and Customs than ever, precisely because those ARE priority areas for us, they always have been and they always will be. The fact is that whilst the GSD scramble for political points wherever they (wrongly) think they find the opportunity to do so, this Government is working hard and dedicating the resources to tackling the problems that we face as a society. My Government acknowledges the problems that our region has with drugs entering Europe. That is why we will continue to invest in our law-enforcement bodies, so that they may continue to do their jobs in the professional manner that they always have, and that they may continue to develop, train, modernise and work with their international partners. Where the GSD are trapped in their repeated spend-save-spend-save loop, this Government ensures that there are modern, efficient and working solutions.’
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