Immigration/police offering poor service

EDITOR: Policing of our country is a serious issue and I expect nothing but the best from Commissioner of Police Keith Miller and members of the police service. But it appears that immigration has been separated from the police service.{{more}}

Sometimes at the E.T. Joshua Airport, one has to wonder if immigration officers are trained and by whom. Everyday at our main port of entry, persons complain about the poor customer service offered by some of our immigration officers. They also complain about questions asked if for some reason one’s hair is in a dreadlock style, because it appears the immigration officer assumes that you are dealing with drugs. After that, the plain-clothed police officers turn on you. I often wonder if Mr. Miller knows about this kind of behaviour by some police officers who are attached to that division.

Is the commissioner getting maximum support from his police officers? Mr. Miller, please make some inquiry into my complaint.

Our Prime Minister always talks about our Caribbean civilisation and movement of people, but if those immigration, police and custom officers continue this kind of treatment, our visitors will stop coming.

We hear how important tourism is, and I’m hoping the Ministries of Tourism and National Security will put a plan together to make sure we offer better service at our ports of entry, and stop the harassment of our visitors by immigration and police officers who think they are an authority unto themselves.

This country is suffering because of poor service offered by some of our immigration, police and custom officers at the E.T. Joshua Airport. Remember, the first impression is lasting.

Kingsley Defreitas