Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 11th, 2021 (ZIZ News) On the heels of International Women’s Day on Monday, a special episode of “Policing With You” highlighting women in leadership in the field of law enforcement aired on Thursday.
The programme featured two women, namely Inspector Shorna Francis-Edwards who is the first woman Commandant of the Police Training School and Chief Immigration Officer, Merclyn Hughes who was the first woman to attain the rank of Assistant Police Commissioner.
Inspector Francis-Edwards shared that law enforcement was not the first choice for her career path however Immigration Officer Hughes shared a different perspective stating that she always wanted to be a police officer.
[INSPECTOR FRANCIS-EDWARDS] “My policing career started on the first of April 1993, it was not my first choice-I wanted to become a teacher by my beloved aunt she persuaded me and she said “listen it’s a job if you don’t like it then you leave” but since I’ve taken up that mantle I have not put it down.”
[CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER HUGHES] “I did not want to be anything but a police officer-I remember applying for nursing because you leave school, you’re looking around and when I sent the application for nursing I said Lord please let them say they don’t have any vacancy and exactly that happened-I got back a response to say there are no vacancies but they’re putting it on file but when I sent my application to the police I actually followed up, I kept calling.”
Both women spoke of their journey moving up the ranks within the police force, Hughes noted that when she became the head of the Strategic Intelligence Unit people were more forthcoming with information that would assist in solving crime.
She applauded the community policing initiative which is now implemented in the force.
“I am happy that we now have community policing as a major activity within the police force because it helps when you can get the public to assist the police and to trust the police in such a way that they feel compelled to see something and say something.”
Inspector Francis-Edwards said her journey was challenging yet rewarding and Officer Hughes credited the police force for shaping and molding her into the person she is today.
“Policing with You airs every Thursday on ZIZ radio at 9:15am during the “Morning Show” with GCue. It is also streamed live on ZIZ’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 11, 2021 (SKNIS): The Immigration Department completed its introduction of new uniforms across the Federation this week as part of efforts to mould its identity as an independent institution. Immigration Officers in St. Kitts and Nevis turned out to work smartly dressed donning the new blue button-down tops and dark grey bottoms, with shoulder straps that display one, two, or three bars depending on the Officer’s rank.
The Immigration Department previously fell under The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. It was made a separate entity in July 2018 with former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Merclyn Hughes, at the helm as the first-ever Chief Immigration Officer. Since that time, under her leadership, steps have been taken to shape the image of the Department. A logo was created and social media platforms, in addition to a webpage, are being developed. The new uniforms are the latest step towards achieving this goal.
Ms. Hughes registered how pleased she was to see the Immigration Officers sporting the new uniforms.
“I think this uniform makes us look more like the law-enforcing body that we are. With Officers posted around the Federation at ports of entry, they help to create the first impression visitors get of the country, so it is important that they look the part, in addition to being professional on the job,” Ms. Hughes said. “We have immigration officers at the RLB International Airport, then we have at the private jet facility, that is, the Kayan Jet section, we have Officers at the Port Zante Marina, Marina Telca at New Guinea, and Christophe Harbour on the Peninsular. Then in Nevis, there are Officers at the Vance W. Amory International Airport, as well as the Long Point and Charlestown Piers. We also want to be a body that nationals can take pride in because of the way we present ourselves.”
Deputy Immigration Officer, Jacqueline Browne, was assigned to the Department for several years prior to its separation. Formerly an inspector of Police, she is excited about the changes being made.
“The new uniform was made by Sun Island Clothes and it has really been a long time in the making. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch was pushed back, but we are finally here, and we are very pleased with the results. I think with the new look, the team feels re-energized, reinvigorated, and motivated to carry out our mission to provide an efficient and professional service to all arriving and departing our ports, to prevent illegal entry of persons, and to liaise with local, regional and international agencies, and to be seen to be discharging the function in a courteous and friendly manner,” Ms. Browne added.
The Officers gave the new uniforms their nod of approval and disclosed that they were thrilled with the direction of the Department.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28, 2020 (SKNIS): The guidelines for returning nationals and visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis have been well-publicized and include having a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result, 72 hours before the departure date.
The same testing requirement is necessary for all transiting passengers, Chief Immigration Officer Merclyn Hughes said on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
“In-Transit passengers, from within or outside of the [CARICOM Travel] Bubble without evidence of a valid negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test will be denied entry into St. Kitts-Nevis. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis reserves the right to refuse any person who does not have a valid test result,” Ms. Hughes stated.
The Chief Immigration Officer shared the information while appearing on the weekly programme Leadership Matters – A Virtual Forum Series.
Ms. Hughes noted that face masks must be worn at all times by the transiting passengers at all ports of entry. They must also undergo a medical assessment which may include a medical check and interview by port health officials.
St. Kitts and Nevis will reopen its borders to regional and international travellers on October 31, 2020. The ports of entry that will be officially opened are the R. L. Bradshaw International Airport, Basseterre Sea Port, Christophe Harbour Marina, and Marina Telca in St. Kitts. The ports in Nevis that will reopen are the V. W. Amory International Airport and the Charlestown Sea Port.
Ms. Hughes added that the situation remains very fluid due to the many unknowns relating to the novel coronavirus. The Chief Immigration Officer encouraged all persons travelling to St. Kitts and Nevis to stay updated on local developments by regularly visiting www.covid19.gov.kn.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28th , 2020 (ZIZ News):
By: Chaïra Flanders
A new Immigration and Customs form is being launched today, Wednesday October 28 2020 for travellers preparing to visit St. Kitts and Nevis after the reopening of borders on Saturday October 31.
This was revealed by Chief Immigration Officer, (CIO) Merclyn Hughes during Tuesday’s edition of Leadership Matters on ZIZ. She used the opportunity to inform the public that all persons seeking entry must meet specific requirements.
“All travellers to St. Kitts and Nevis, must complete a pre-arrival Online Immigration and Customs form at least 24 hours before arrival. The online form will also include personal health information which includes evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR Test done within 72 hours or 3 days of travel”, she said.
Hughes also highlighted the importance of having a valid email to allow a smooth process of form submission.
“Passengers must have a valid email and once the form is completed and submitted, the passenger will receive an automatic reply in that email thanking you for successfully submitting your form. The information would be reviewed by agents from Immigration. Customs, Health and the Ministry of National Security. Upon approval, passengers will be notified by email with further instructions on entry into St. Kitts and Nevis”, the CIO explained.
She said in the case where a passenger is rejected, that individual will be notified and advised to contact the Ministry of National Security. Once approval is granted to enter St. Kitts and Nevis, a confirmation email will be sent.
The CIO outlined the steps that follow the confirmation email once permission to enter the twin island federation has been granted.
“The email must be saved to a mobile device or it must be printed. The information which includes a receipt number and a QR Code which must be presented to Immigration and Customs official upon arrival”, she explained.
The new immigration form will be launched at a special National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) briefing at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel later this afternoon.
The online form will be available at www.knatravelform.kn
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 06, 2020 (SKNIS): Seventeen (17) new Immigration Officers are currently undergoing a week-long (July 06-10) basic training course aimed at equipping them with some basic knowledge of border security and their role as frontline workers.
During the opening ceremony at the Customs Training Centre on Monday, July 06, 2020, Chief Immigration Officer, Merclyn Hughes, shared what the recruits have to look forward to.
“I want you all to know that you are in for a lot of information. I want you to pay attention to it,” said Mrs. Hughes. “You are going to hear that you are the gatekeepers of the Federation. What does a gatekeeper do? You let people in but you must not just let in any and anybody. You must ensure that the people you open the door to and welcome in are good people… that their travel documents are telling you a story as to the person who is standing before you,” she added.
The Chief Immigration Officer encouraged the recruits to make the best of the training and participate fully as the information imparted to them will be beneficial.
“Let us make the occasion really interactive, do not just sit there, ask questions, be a part of what is going on and make it interesting and exciting,” she said.
Topics to be covered for the week include but are not limited to the: Role of Immigration and the Code of Conduct; Immigration Act; Role of Customs; Role of Immigration in the Tourism Industry; Civil Service Act and Procedures; Work Permit Extension Stay; Entry Visits; Student Visas; Immigration Procedures; Free Movement of Persons from CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); CARICOM Skills Certificate; Report Writing and Statement Taking, and profiling.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 25, 2020 (SKNIS): Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, particularly those who live in coastal communities, are strongly encouraged to notify authorities of any suspicious activity that they may observe along the federation’s beaches and coastal areas.
The appeal comes from Merclyn Hughes, Chief Immigration Officer, as she referred to the recent detainment of 13 nationals of Haiti, who illegally entered the country via sea. The adult males were discovered in the Keys community on Monday, June 22, 2020.
“When you see something that looks illegal, please call and report it,” she said at the National Emergency Operations Centre COVID-19 Briefing on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
Ms Hughes advised that such reports can be made to the 911 emergency hotline.
“We are in a pandemic. We want to ensure that our citizens are safe,” the Chief Immigration Officer stated, referencing the potential dangers that such illegal activity can pose to the nation’s security.
The Haitian nationals have since been tested for COVID-19 while in custody. Contact tracing is also being carried out to identify persons whom they may have come into contact
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