Ashley Perez and Martin Caruana, both Trainee Surveyors at the Gibraltar Maritime Administration, recently attended an International Safety Management Lead Auditor training course on behalf of the Government, adding to Gibraltar's existing pool of individuals trained in maritime surveying and safety auditing.
The course, running from 21st to 27th March 2015, was held at the Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University's Maritime and Technology Faculty, a first-class provider of education, training, consultancy and research services to the international shipping, commercial yacht, offshore oil and gas, and renewables industries. The course lecturer and assessor was Mike Symons, Security and Ship Management Specialist at Regs4ships, safety management experts for the maritime industry, who under the ChartCo Training brand provide safety, security and compliance training.
The course objectives were:
- Understanding the International Safety Management system and context;
- To be able to undertake International Safety Management internal audits;
- To be able to act as Lead Auditor for ISM management systems on behalf of flagstate.
The rigorous assessment process involved seven workshops spread over three days, followed by a two hour final exam. This course represents a small part of the Trainee Surveyors' extensive training programme, which will be completed in October 2015 following a secondment to the UK Coastguard. The Government takes this opportunity to congratulate both Ashley and Martin for their achievements.
08-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Med Steps Challenge for Cancer Relief
April 08, 2015
Prison Service staff are organising a Med Steps challenge on Saturday 9th May to raise money for Cancer Relief.
All participants can register at Jew's Gate at 9am on the day.
This event is a build up to a marathon event by Mark Cooper who will be cycling in July from the Tower of London to Casemates Square raising money for Cancer Relief. For any information please contact noni.belilo@gmail.com or Steven Noni Belilo on Facebook.
08-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Public confidence in the police is at all time low ... now what?
April 08, 2015
How the public view the police is very important. Positive perceptions of police trust and fairness promote engagement and compliance. Additionally, if people do not believe that their police service is fair, the police lose legitimacy and people's connections with the police are eroded.
Yet there is no doubt, confidence in the police is not improving, despite attempts by some who like to project a positive view of policing even if official figures show that the situation is not improving, the reality of the matter is that public confidence in our police service or the RGP is plummeting!
Analysing the recent survey results carried out by the Gibraltar Police Authority, shows that confidence in RGP has now become a worrying issue, not only for the police, but also for everyone else who believes the relationship between the public and the police who serve them, should be hovering high on the confidence and satisfaction levels.
Public Confidence Falling Steadily Over the Years
Like in most other jurisdictions, public confidence in policing has become shorthand for trust, legitimacy and consent, there is considerable evidence that such public confidence locally has been falling steadily over the past few years!
In the most recent survey result published over the Easter weekend by the GPA confidence in the RGP has slumped from 65% in 2013 to 52% last year, while satisfaction with the overall services provided is even more disturbing having fallen from 68% last year to 53% in the year under review
And only 31% of respondents thought the services of the RGP had improved in the previous 12 months, this compared with the 43% of the previous year.
The public was not impressed regarding the police performance when it came to traffic enforcement, asked whether they were satisfied with how the RGP enforce the local traffic laws; just 33% said they were satisfied, compared with 46% in 2013.
Same Concerns Year in Year Out!
Yearly GPA consultation exercise questionnaires sent out with the aim of seeking the public's views on how effectively Gibraltar is policed. Have returned generally, with the same or similar answers from the public. Particularly, on those policing issues of concern that really mean something to members of the community.
After gathering all the information the GPA are required by law in consultation with the Commissioner of Police to prepare an annual police plan. A policing plan that reflects the concerns of the public, particularly if those public concerns are important and serious and reoccurring yearly concerns, especially those, thought to be a proven danger to society in general.
Over the past 8 or 9 years, or since the creation of the GPA, successive public consultation exercises have resulted in practically the same policing concerns being voiced by the public 'Supply of Drug and Abuse, Under Age Drinking, Anti-Social Behaviour, Litter and Dog Fouling and Driving Offences'.
In fact the level of public concern regarding these policing issues are constantly high and fluctuate only slightly each year a few percentages either way.
There is no doubt these policing issue are a genuine concern to many people. Obviously, more to those families who have a drug or alcohol (or both) related problem. Especially, with an under age kid. People who then witness that year after year nothing much is done either by society as a whole, or consecutive Government Administrations are naturally annoyed and feel negative about the issue!
GPA Continue to Ignore Repeated Public Concerns
Then to make matters worse, when the GPA announces the result of their yearly public questionnaire exercise, they repeatedly focus on another area, continuously ignoring the importance of the main point of the survey. The repeated concerns of the public! It's not just the present GPA, but others before them or since the authority was created in 2006.
This year the GPA in the statement accompanying the survey result say 'they are pleased to note that 56% of respondents agreed with all the priorities set out in the GPA Annual Policing Plan 2014-15'. A shallow assumption by the GPA, particularly when members of the public are continuously repeating the same concerns every year.
Of course the public are going agree with the priorities set out in the policing plan, which are practically the same concerns they voice every year. And which are obviously not effectively addressed by the police or anyone else who can improve the situation, particularly, where it involves, drugs, alcohol and under age drinking!
The Best the Authority Can do is To Take Note Again!
The Police Authority also say they will take account of the results of the survey and comments from the questionnaire in drawing up the Gibraltar Polic ing Plan for 2015-16 due to be set before parliament.
Is that the best the GPA can do or say, to 'take account again of the survey results in drawing up again the policing plans' the cycle continues again it seems. The public continues to be concerned about the same policing issues, and the GPA as much as they try to be upbeat about it all, hardly give a mention…as to how they are going to tackle the serious dip in public confidence with the RGP!
There are many in the community, who over the years have questioned the fact that the Police Authority is quick to praise the Police at every opportunity, but are not inclined to make many comments on any negative on unpopular aspect regarding the RGP's performance.
The bullying allegations and the high profile policing issue of the enforcement of BGTW is an example of the above. Why did the GPA not think it important to gauge the publics opinion on these to important policing issues in their survey? This is a question that needs to be answered!
It is now five years since Her Majesties Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) were called to inspect the RGP. The Police Act 2006 requires that the GPA should submit the RGP "to an inspection by an appropriate authority."
Controversy Has Surrounded the RGP
Controversy has surrounded the RGP since the first set of bullying allegations within the service became public last September. This was followed by more bullying allegations during the RGP selection weekend before Christmas.
The major issue regarding enforcement of environmental laws out at sea may have affected many peoples opinion of the police, even if wasn't a specific question contained in the GPA survey.
Issues Galore!
Recently another major issue came to light where RGP officers were sent to a Spanish Court to give evidence regarding an incident that occurred in 2010 when RGP officers who were conducting enquiries into a robbery in Main Street ventured into Spain, and without any lawful authority searched a residential property in the Spanish mainland, all this without any official or lawful notification to their Spanish counterparts.
The incident itself hit the political roof, it was considered so serious that it reached top governmental proportions resulting in the then Chief Minister Peter Caruana having to apologise to the Spanish Government, although at the same time publicly criticising the actions of the RGP. Political assurances were made at the time to protect the local officers from any future court proceedings in Spain.
This was a very important politically related issue that was decided by someone within the police service. And where not even the Chief Minister was aware. This is now under internal investigation by the RGP. Why the GPA is not investigating this matter is another question that needs answering. And lastly, there is another serious internal police investigation underway, where a police firearms officer negligently fired a firearm at the air terminal. Why the GPA is not also involved investigating this incident as well, is also another mystery!
RGP Hogging the News For the Wrong Reasons Will Affect Public Confidence
So of course public confidence in the police is going to be low, it will be, if the police are making or hogging more news then the people they should be apprehending and bringing before the courts of justice.
Something needs to be done to seriously look at Policing in Gibraltar, including the role of the GPA. And particularly, how the future of Policing locally should undergo some kind of reform, which has been the case in many UK forces!
08-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Why would Governor have 'full confidence' in RGP's non-existent fishing enforcement policy?
April 08, 2015
One person it seems, who is up to date and has full confidence in the current RGP 'Operational Deployment' and 'Enforcement Policy' regarding illegal fishing practices in BGTW is the Governor. Which is not much of a positive statement from the Convent, considering the amount of public criticism leveled at the police regarding this issue of huge public interest. Also importantly, is the fact that public confidence in the police is probably at an all time low, this, if the recent GPA public consultation survey results are anything to go by!
Rock Wonders Why Illegal Fishing is Not Being Enforced But H.E. is Happy!
Like me, thousands of people are still wondering just what is happening with the enforcement of illegal fishing practices, and what are the RGP's plans, if they have any?
However, Panorama can now reveal that the Governor knows exactly what is happening, not only that, but in this respect he also has full confidence in RGP. Which I thought was strange, as the enforcement of the nature protection laws by the police, does not appear to be one of their main policing priorities. It's not even mentioned in the policing plans published by the GPA or how the Rock's leading enforcement body intends to tackle this high profile policing activity!
Spanish fishing vessels are returning daily to local waters to fish illegally, be it not in great numbers, but this is not the issue here! The problem is that the public are visible witnessing nothing whatsoever from the police, by way of enforcement or attempting to stop unlawful fishing practices contrary to local nature protection laws.
Governor Full Confidence in RGP Nonexistent Enforcement of Illegal Fishing in BGTW
In answer to the following questions from Panorama the Convent replied as below:
Panorama questions… "How does the Governor see both the current RGP 'Operational Deployment' and 'Enforcement Policy' regarding the illegal fishing
practices in BGTW". And, " Has the Governor held any discussions with the Commissioner of Police regarding the policing of BGTW and is HE happy with the current level of policing of local waters"
The Convent with little explanation answered, "the Governor and the Commissioner of Police are in regular contact on a range of issues relating to the policing of Gibraltar and British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. The RGP has the full confidence of the Governor".
One can read quite bit into the answer by the Governor Sir James Dutton. Starting from the confirmation that he has regular contact with the Commissioner on a range of issues relating to policing generally, but particularly regarding BGTW, where one presumes includes the important issue of enforcement, which the RGP it seems, has the full confidence of Sir James…but full confidence in what? And what might be the range of issues the Governor and Police Commissioner regularly discuss, especially, those relating to the actual policing of BGTW?
Illegal Fishing Inescapable High Profile Policing and National Issue for Years
Unless you've been living under this little Rock instead of on it, you probably know or may be aware that the enforcement of illegal fishing in BGTW has been an inescapable high profile national and policing issue for years. With the introduction at the start of the year, of the new fishing regulations and the creation of the 'department of environment protection unit' the whole matter took another dimensional public interest. Mainly, because without the close cooperation and support between the official agencies concerned, particularly the RGP. Because even though the police may not think themselves as lead enforcement agency, they undoubtedly are. The latter point, I would have thought the Governor, would have wanted to set that record straight in his regular meetings/contacts with the Commissioner of Police on policing BGTW, although this does not appear to be the case!
As Panorama highlighted in our exclusive report yesterday, the Government in Madrid has now stationed it seems, one of their Environmental Protection Vessels in Algeciras and also handed down instructions to enforce EU nature protection laws in BGTW under the EU Habitats Directive. There is no doubt; the Spanish authorities are not only observing what the RGP are doing or not doing on enforcement of local environmental protection laws. But are also following the local press and social media who continuously criticise the police for their in-active passive operational stance.
Panorama also stressed yesterday, that it was also obvious, that few have realised what damage this (lack of enforcement) is doing, including possible repercussions! Where it now seems, the Spanish Government want capitalise on the situation, to once again revive the 'enforcement and control of the special environmental areas of community importance' by coming into BGTW to manage EU directives given to Spain by Brussels some years ago.
Naive to Think Politicians or Diplomats do Not Try to Interfere
It would be naive to think that politicians or diplomats do not, or at least try to interfere with or influence the work of the police. Enforcement and policing of BGTW is certainly one that falls into that category, its happen in the past both from London and from here on the Rock. Should we be that naïve to think that it does not happen now?
Whether the policing influence factor is succeeding now and to what extent depends very much on how brazen a politician or diplomat is and on the police commissioner's determination to put his foot down. And where again I ask what exactly are the kinds of contact regarding 'the issues relating to the policing British Gibraltar Territorial Waters' which the governor highlighted in his response to Panorama. Because if its police activity in BGTW there's not much of it to discuss… and like hundreds of other people - I wonder why?
I have penned countless articles in Panorama over the past 12 years on this same subject. Not only that, but as many readers know I have personal experience from a senior police officer perceptive regarding this important issue, when I was directly involved in the policing of this same matter during the 1999 version of todays fishing problem. So I believe I have a good idea what I am on about and what I believe may be going on at present. Which on the face of it, is no different, than what was happening during the last fishing problem when I was directly involved…although today, one of the main and visible differences is that the RGP are now blessed with some super-duper million pound floating assets, which were absent 15/16 years ago!
Not for the first time I've noted clear similarities between what transpired in 1998/9 and the present situation, not only from a policing perspective but also a political one and certainly now I believe… from a diplomatic one.
In my opinion because of this, the fishing situation as far as enforcement is concerned, is not only a deteriorating issue, but also confusing to the ordinary citizen. The police now openly tolerate illegal fishing and also do not effectively support the environmental protection officers, as they seemingly think for some unknown reason, they are not the lead enforcement agency. We are witnessing a situation where the principal law enforcement agency, arrive at an illegal fishing incident where mostly Spanish fishermen are breaching local environmental laws… and do nothing and smartly leave!
Government Have Confirmed RGP Free to Use Operational Discretion!
I have from the start kept an open mind when the government took the decision to annul the 'illegal' 1999 fishing agreement. I also have largely supported most of what has been said and done by the government regarding this latter policy decision. Particularly, their stand in wanting to uphold the 1991 Nature Protection Act that safeguards all marine habitats and species in BGTW. As I believe this was right thing to do, not only for Gibraltar, but also for the environment and our future!
The Gibraltar Government have repeatedly said it would not allow the environmental protection laws to be broken and importantly that the 'Police are not controlled by them and are free to use their own operational discretion to enforce the pertinent laws preventing illegal fishing activities', from the people I have spoken too I believe this to be the case. Others in local politics want the public to think otherwise!
Ask yourself this "Why would Government want the new fishing regulations to fail or not have these laws effectively implemented or enforced by not having an all-round robust and sustained enforcement policy by all local agencies"
Silence by Commissioner Speaks Volumes - is FCO at it again?
It is obvious something is holding the Commissioner of Police back in not fully engaging his officers to enforce the nature protection act in BGTW. The silence from the Commissioner speaks volumes; it also leaves everything open to speculation, conjecture and assumption. And it is my assumption and belief that diplomatic pressure as far-reaching as London, or more precise the FCO - as there are classic signs it could be happening again, stranger things have been repeated…its not that difficult for the FCO to get its message across to the police, it can be done in different ways. Believe me I know, I've been there, heard and seen it all before!
Governors Confident Thought Shared by Few, RGP Have Explained Nothing!
Which brings me back why I cannot understand why the Governor appears happy and has full confidence in the manner the RGP are policing, enforcing and doing everything right it seems in BGTW… when very few people in Gibraltar share that confident thought with Governor Dutton!
Locally, we pride ourselves on the fact that we belong to a small community where we tend to know each other and to be in constant touch with one another. The example set by members of the police force in such a small community has more far reaching impact than it would have in a larger or more 'anonymous' society. Which explains why the police service needs to be highly regarded, and always close to all the public. But as someone recently told me "what Gibraltar wants is a real, not an imaginary police force patrolling our waters"
Police Has Bad Track Record in Terms of Media and Community Relations
Of course the public appreciates the dedication and generous commitment of the custodians of its protection, security and peaceful existence that the police make. Society is proud of its Police Force. Things can only improve if the force communicates better with the public both directly and through the media.
However, such appreciation and admiration can only become more pronounced in learning. As was the case with the tragedy last week of the family of four and how the public and press learned through fluid police communication how officers were dealing with a very difficult incident…but fluid police communication with the public and press has never been the RGP's forte!
As Panorama has reported on more than a few occasions in the past, the RGP has quite a mediocre track record when it comes to press and community relations.
The police have constantly failed to spot those opportunities where it could secure ever more cooperation by the public and, more so, to "use" the media to its advantage.
One can only wonder how many of the more senior and more influential police officers within the force are media savvy. How often do they meet journalists to have frank exchanges with them? (Certainly not with Panorama.) Does the curriculum of the Police Academy include press-police relations anymore? And, if so, who delivers the lectures and what do these consist of?
But I'm sorry to be the one to have to break it to the Convent. But the majority of people in Gibraltar definitely do not share Governor Dutton's confidence in the way the RGP is presently policing BGTW.
Unless the Governor of course, knows something the rest of us are totally unaware or ignorant of!
08-04-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR