Commissioners of Police Take Part in Regional Conference

Commissioners of Police and other stakeholders from member states of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) are currently participating in a conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on April 30, Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the ACCP conference is timely, as it signals the region’s commitment to tackle crime, using collaboration and shared resources.

“This gathering of leaders represents solidarity for this critical sector to address one of our development agenda, which is to ensure security and protection of our land, assets and contingent waters,” the Minister said.

He added that the ACCP, with its rich history spanning over 30 years, is an excellent example of regional cooperation.

“This showing of the region’s oneness to tackle crime is a significant step to secure our maritime borders to the south and our shipping routes throughout the Basin. This will influence, if not determine to a great extent, our security as small island states and as a group of nations. As a region, we are indeed stronger together,” the Minister said.

Dr. Chang encouraged the Commissioners and delegates to come up with practical solutions in their discussions to effect visible changes to tackle crime.

“I hope to see, emerging from this conference, strategies and partnerships that will serve to protect and counter organised criminality in the region,” he said.

The Minister said he is pleased with the direction of the conference to look at how the leadership of each Commissioner influences decisions of their immediate squad and execution of their plans and efforts to solve crime.

For his part, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, said the ACCP conference displays a vote of confidence in the way forward by all member states.

Major General Anderson said that crime has become a serious development issue for the region.

“Crime has become a complex dilemma. Criminality has revolutionised through technology, globalisation and the escalation of socio-economic deficiencies. We have seen transitions in violent crimes, as well as an increase in gang-related arrangements and extortion that have crippled businesses, driving fear into owners and their employees, inhibiting productivity and reducing profit.

This conference is garnering the kind of attention that will yield positive outcomes for Jamaica and the region,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that the modern requirements for technology and forensics cannot be afforded by any one country, and that the network for intelligence gathering has to be shared across the Caribbean.

“We cannot stress enough the value that the ACCP has brought, as we police our nations and battle against the threats of crime and violence. Through the Association’s efforts, we have had privileged access to funding and resources that have improved the skills, professionalism and service delivery of our police officers, and enhanced the effectiveness of our respective policing services,” he said.

The Commissioner said he is confident that through the high level of security expertise, shared proficiencies, leadership and vision, the conference will achieve the desired outcome of national security.

The conference will be held from April 30 to May 5, under the theme ‘An Integrated Approach Against Serious and Organised Crime – Implications for Regional Growth and Development’.