Ministry of National Security (The Bahamas)

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Bahamas National Flag

Ministry of National Security (MNS) is the primary law enforcement and national defense agency within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The Ministry of National Security has responsibility for customs and immigration, defense and the national police force. Their mission is to, "defend, protect and guard the national and territorial sovereignty and integrity of The Bahamas and its citizens. Agencies located within the portfolio of the MNS include: [1]

Contents

History

Formation

The Ministry of National Security was established in 1990. Originally, when the country gained independence in 1973 it was first called Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1998 continuing into 2002, the MNS became the office of the Deputy Prime Minster and The Ministry of National Security.

Initiatives

The MNS oversees organizations such as (CJSP) the Citizen Security and Justice Programme. This program focuses on issues driving crime within the Bahamas. There is the "clear, hol

Policies

  1. Inquiry Agents and Security Guards Act of 1976 [2] -
  2. Prerogative of Mercy [3] -
  3. Holistic Crime Strategy [4] -
  4. Investing in the Youth-
    1. An example of this is The Bahamas National Youth Guard.
  5. Multi-Agency Financial Conclave-
  6. National Security Reform-
  7. Security and Intelligence Branch (Special Branch)-

Divisions

Royal Bahamas Police Force

Police HQ Central police station, Royal Bahamas Police Force.jpg
Police HQ

The police force was established on March 1, 1840. Their mission is "working together for a safer Bahamas." The Royal Bahamas Police Force functions are the maintenance of Law & Order, preservation of the peace, prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders and the enforcement of laws.

Royal Bahamas Defense Force

Bahamas Defense Force Soldiers from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force take part in the opening ceremonies of the Joint Task Force Tradewinds 04 Multinational Training Exercise at Las Calderas Naval Base, Dominican Republic, on April 14, 2004 DA-SD-07-32437.jpg
Bahamas Defense Force

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force [5] is the military entity of the Bahamas established March 31, 1980. Their motto is "the pursuit of excellence in guarding our heritage." The Royal Bahamas Defense Force duties are as follows: The defence of the Bahamas,the protection of the territorial integrity of The Bahamas, to patrol of the waters of The Bahamas, to Provide assistance and relief in times of disasters, the maintenance of law and order in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and lastly any such duties as determined by the National Security Council.

Bahamas Department of Corrections

Fox Hill Prison
Ministry of National Security (The Bahamas)
LocationFox Hill
Coordinates 25°01′40″N77°17′31″W / 25.02778°N 77.29194°W / 25.02778; -77.29194
OpenedMarch 1952
Former nameHer Majesty's Prisons
Managed byBahamas Department of Correctional Services
City Nassau
CountryThe Bahamas

Established when the correctional services act was passed on August 11, 2014. They manage Fox Hill Prison formerly known as he The Bahamas Department of Corrections mission is to contribute to the protection of society by optimizing staff development while maintaining inmates in a controlled, safe, secure, and humane environment that encourages rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. This department's role is to be responsible for maintaining inmates in a controlled, safe and secure environment whereby contributing to the protection of society.

Administrative Staff

Minister of National Security-

Wayne Munroe is the current Minister of National Security. [BHG 1] He is the member of parliament (MP) for the Freetown constituency.

Primary Administrative leader

The acting Permanent Secretary is Miss Bridget Hepburn.The Permanent Secretary embodies the role of the Chief Administrative Officer. The Permanent Secretary acts as an advisor to the Minister of National Security on the ministry's policies, and the Permanent Secretary supervises the Ministry of National Security: human resources, accounting matters, and ensures the daily implementation of the government's programmes and policies.

Under-Secretary

The Under-Secretary is Brenda Dorsett. [6]

Ministers responsible for national security

References

  1. ↑ "National Security, Ministry of". Government of the Bahamas. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  2. ↑ Inquiry agents and Security Guards act. (n.d.-c). https://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/1976/1976-0019/1976-0019.pdf
  3. ↑ OPM. (n.d.-d). https://opm.gov.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ExO-28-July-2023-2023Boards-and-Committees.pdf
  4. ↑ A critical look at Pintard’s crime strategy. The Nassau Guardian. (2025, August 26). https://www.thenassauguardian.com/opinion/a-critical-look-at-pintard-s-crime-strategy/article_0f251a0e-7d2a-44a5-af71-95a3fc11e2e8.html
  5. ↑ Styles, J., Knowles, L., & Ebron, K. (n.d.). Cultivating leadership: Female leaders in the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. ValpoScholar. https://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol17/iss2/19/
  6. ↑ "Five minutes with Brenda Dorsett, under secretary of The Bahamas' Ministry of National Security" . Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Past and Present Ministers MNS and Bios" (PDF). www.bahamas.gov.bs. Government of The Bahamas.
  1. ↑ "National Security, Ministry of". Government of the Bahamas. Retrieved 30 May 2017.



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