This week, four new civilian staff have joined the Economic Crime Unit (ECU), beginning their induction programme as the first step towards their professional development. In the coming weeks and months, these staff members will undertake secondments to key stakeholders, including the Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU), providing them with further training and experience to enhance their skills.

Over the last 18 months, the recruitment and investment by HM Government of Gibraltar has strengthened the ECU to its largest staff levels since inception, including:

1. Recruitment of a dedicated Crown Counsel and three civilian Financial Investigators

2. Appointment of a recently retired former Chief Inspector as a consultant

3. Addition of a specialist accountant to deepen expertise

4. This week’s recruitment of four new civilian support staff, creating development opportunities for colleagues in the public sector

This strategic investment is designed to complement the work of police officers in the Unit. While economic crime investigations remain a core policing function, the civilian support staff will enhance the team’s overall capability.

Minister for Justice, the Hon Nigel Feetham MP KC, commented:

“This latest civilian recruitment strengthens the Economic Crime Unit’s resources to tackle economic crime. As I announced in my July Budget speech, we are continuing to expand civilian support within the Unit wherever possible, including by training and developing existing public sector workers rather than relying solely on external recruitment. This approach also reinforces our commitments to the FATF and the European Commission, ensuring strong safeguards against the misuse of Gibraltar’s financial system.”

The Economic Crime Unit continues to play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of Gibraltar’s financial system, seizing criminal assets, and safeguarding the territory’s reputation.