Island Games Security Shambles

Panorama can reveal that lines of communication on this very important and vital matter are simply non-existent.

Planning and advising the Island games committee on security issues surrounding the games is a matter for the RGP who obviously believe they are providing a professional and expert service. However, it seems Commander British Forces may have poked his nose where it was not wanted and convinced or offered the Islands games committee to take on a GDP senior officer as expert security advisor. The officer, the second in command of the GDP, who CBF freely deported without informing anyone it seems, only the island games committee people.

SHAMBOLIC SECURITY PLANNING - NO OTHER WORD!

Looking at the situation from another important angle...this is a clear demonstration how the ‘local security agencies’ communicate with each other, or as in this case do not bother even to pick up a phone and explain to the Commissioner of Police a controversial decision taken by Commander British Forces to farm-out a senior MOD police officer to provide expert security advice to the Island Games Committee - who gladly accepted. Where the Committee also failed by not informing the RGP, apparently the competent authority on all security matters in Gibraltar, these events occurring some weeks ago even months!

But its not all negative news, thanks to Panorama, ‘Security Planning’ for the 2019 Gibraltar Island Games will after today, be a lot more clearer to all concerned, especially as to who is doing what and providing the very important expert service on the all important issue of ‘Security’ during the island games.

Up until last week, I’m sure most of the public would have expected the RGP to be in complete control and already planning ahead for the many thousands of athletes and others who will descend on Gibraltar between the 6-12 July 2019 including the high-ranking officers involved in the planning stages!

Communication Completely Broken Down

This is a huge event, which in a small jurisdiction like Gibraltar will be an extremely demanding (security) responsibility, especially in the planning, preparing and implementation phases.

However, it’s safe to say ‘communication has broken down’ particularly where security is concerned between the RGP, the Island Games Committee and CBF, because it really does appear that none of these organisations are aware what is going on, or what each other’s roles and responsibilities are especially where the security of the games is concerned...From it looks a mess!

22-01-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR