Police train trade officer with new powers
(CNS Business): Under new legislation dealing with the local business environment, the Department of Commerce and Investment’s trade officers now have the same powers as police constables and have therefore been training with the RCIPS to learn what it takes to enforce local laws before they go out into the community and start issuing fines for non-compliant business. The first in a series of training sessions took place last month and covered aspects such as arrest protocols, incident reporting and officer discretion.
Under the new trade and business licensing (TBL) law, which commenced on 1 January, trade officers will be able to search business premises and issue tickets against breaches to licensing requirements.
“During the session we covered their newly found duties as constables and the powers imposed upon them, in particular powers of arrest, use of force and verbal communication,” said Police Constable Gabe Rabess, the lead officer of the safety training at the police training unit at Governor’s Square. “Being a constable itself is a great undertaking, and the use of trade officers in business matters is a positive. We look forward to continuing their training,” he added.
A DCI administrator and three trade officers, all with previous law enforcement experience with the RCIPS, immigration and customs, took part in the training. DCI Director Ryan Rajkumarsingh said the trade officers have a big role to play in the successful implementation of local legislation.
“The law-abiding business community has repeatedly called for action against those who do not follow the various laws in Cayman,” he said. “As the authority on all forms of business licensing, it is important that we have an effective enforcement arm to deal with noncompliance. With properly trained trade officers, we can improve local commerce for business owners,” he added, noting that his officers are also enforcing other commerce-related laws, including the liquor licensing law, and film exhibition control law.
The TBL law is intended to create a level playing field for business owners and lead to greater efficiencies in the overall business licensing system by reducing approval times for licences, clarifying business licensing categories and improving DCI’s enforcement powers.
Category: Local Business
