Home affairs minister Nickolas DaCosta presented his ministry’s annual report to the Parliament of the Cayman Islands during its recent sitting.
He highlighted numerous achievements in public safety enhancement, infrastructure modernisation and strengthening offender management and rehabilitation during 2024.
DaCosta told members on 25 June that “efforts aligned with the government’s wider priorities of national resilience and improved quality of life”.
The minister announced improved coordination between law enforcement through a historic joint offender management MOU signed by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Prison Service, and Department of Community Rehabilitation.
Prison operations saw significant developments with strengthening of prison security and offender management, including the establishment of an operational analytics unit, he said.
This came alongside advancement of prisoner rehabilitation efforts, including design, planning for a modern facility and implementation of wellness programmes.
DaCosta also reported a major boost to surveillance capabilities through the expansion of the national CCTV network with more than 100 high-definition cameras and new data analysis tools.
The ministry also oversaw six departments during 2024, providing “policy direction and monitoring the overall performance” across its portfolio.
Youth development
New initiatives targeting young Caymanians were launched in 2024.
DaCosta said a new cross agency partnership between the Coast Guard, Fire Service and Cadet Corps saw the launch of the Sea Cadets and Fire Cadets.
This “aims to establish career pathways for young Caymanians within the public safety and uniformed service industry”, he said.
The ministry also implemented professional development through the introduction of the ministry’s Emerging Leaders Programme to promote excellence in succession planning.
Seven graduates of the first cohort were recognised at the inaugural frontline employee event, DaCosta said.
Looking ahead, the minister outlined his ministry’s future focus, stating that the annual report details the strategic directive for 2025.
This includes a focus on enhancing border security of all three islands, people development, partnerships, service excellence and intelligence led public safety, he said.
The minister concluded: “I extend my sincere thanks to the ministry’s departments and leadership for their dedication and for achieving an unqualified audit opinion.”
DaCosta described the annual report as “self-explanatory” and providing “further detail on these initiatives” beyond his parliamentary summary.
