Linval Bailey (left), deputy commissioner of police, chats with James Rawle, chairman of the National Environment and Planning Agency at an environmental conference for senior police officers at the Terra Nova Hotel, Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, yesterday. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER of Police, Linval Bailey, yesterday said more than 2,000 arrests were made in 2005 for environmental breaches.
Of that number, 1,193 were for solid waste, 25 for illegal quarrying, and two for breaches of the Wild Life Protection Act.
DCP Bailey claimed insufficient public education campaigns, inadequately trained officers, weak legislation and a sympathetic judiciary were deterrents to the efforts of the police.
He called for more environmental inspectors and training for police officers in environmental law and enforcement. He also said the force could not dedicate the time and human resources to effectively combat environmental violations because of crime and violence and backed the call by Land and Environment Minister Dean Peart, for voluntary compliance and stronger penalties.
Mr. Bailey was speaking yesterday at the Environmental and Planning Laws conference held at the Terra Nova Hotel, Waterloo Road, St. Andrew.
For his part, Donovan Stanberry, permanent secretary in the Land and Environment Ministry, applauded the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) for its successes in tackling environmental breaches.
