Nassau , The Bahamas - The Royal Bahamas Police Force has brought on stream a new 14-seater Cessna Caravan aircraft.

This will allow the police to respond “more effectively to law enforcement challenges” throughout The Bahamas, Minister of National Security the Hon. O.A.T. “Tommy” Turnquest said.

It will also end the practice of transporting prisoners on commercial flights within The Bahamas, particularly on the Nassau-to-Freeport , Grand Bahama route.

Too, it marked the return of an active Royal Bahamas Police Force Air Wing after a seven-year hiatus.

The single-engine turboprop with state-of-the-art technology will enable the police to conduct criminal investigations throughout the islands more speedily.

“The Government is especially pleased with this major step the Police Force has taken to make this Air Wing an important component of its crime-fighting strategy,” Mr. Turnquest said.

“This aircraft now gives greater flexibility to the Force and gives it additional capacity to counter crime and criminality, wherever it occurs in our Bahamas .”

The Government purchased the aircraft for $2.2 million from the Confiscated Assets Fund (CAF). The Fund was established with proceeds and assets from illegal activity.

“Simply put, monies confiscated from the proceeds of drug crimes are now being turned against drug traffickers and perpetrators of criminal activities by Government’s prudent investment of these monies in anti-drug and crime initiatives,” Mr. Turnquest added.

It can also be utilized for surveillance and reconnaissance operations because of its exceptional range and endurance capacity, and its varied landing gears, which allow the aircraft to be operated in a wide range of settings, he said.

The plane will be flown by Bahamian pilots, members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“This fact shows that we have the professional capacity within the Royal Bahamas Police Force to fly this aircraft and we will ensure that those officers are efficiently deployed,” Mr. Turnquest said.

Cessna has provided training for the pilots. Already more officers are being recruited to be trained as pilots.

A framework for annual training and re-training in aviation safety management has also been established for pilots, maintenance crews, and ground and support staff, the Minister said.

“I expect this aircraft to be put to good service in the interest of making our country safer and more secure,” Mr. Turnquest added.