John heads Caribbean police chiefs group

Commissioner of Police of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), Colin John is the new president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP). 

John was elected at the association’s 34th annual conference, in Grand Cayman from May 21 – 24, 2019 under the theme “Improving Regional Policing Effectiveness in a Changing World”. 

John is the first Vincentian to be elected as president of the ACCP.

In commenting on his elevation to the presidency of the ACCP, Commissioner John said: 

“I feel very humbled and honoured to be leading the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police at this time,” John said and thanked his colleagues “for the confidence that they have reposed in me. 

“During my tenure my focus will be on increasing intra-agency networking between all of the agencies with the ACCP and also with other non-law enforcement stakeholders. 

“Further, with the cooperation of my colleagues, I will seek to advance on the association’s past and current programmes in placing more emphasis on tackling transnational organized crimes not just in our region but with a focus on international cooperation because the ACCP is a sister organization of the International Association of Commissioners of Police (IACP),” John said. 

John’s tenure will last for one year, ending in 2020 at the association next conference. 

The other members of the executive are: Commissioner Steve Foster of Montserrat, 1st Vice President; Commissioner Atlee Rodney of Antigua and Barbuda, 2nd Vice President; Commissioner Severin Monchery of St. Lucia, Secretary/Treasury. The immediate past president is Commissioner Ian Queeley of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The ACCP was formally established in 1987 and currently comprises of police chiefs from 25 Caribbean countries. 

During the conference, several topics were dealt with, including, current and emerging global crime trends in policing in a digital age; transnational organized crime: a growing threat to regional security in the digital age; challenges and opportunities for prosecuting in a digital age; building digital forensic hub capabilities: the impact of extremism migration on law enforcement and communities; 21st Century policing: border protection: working in partnerships to stem the incidence of gun violence in the region: promoting awareness of domestic violence among law enforcement practitioners; effective strategies for addressing youth violence and suicide and leadership challenges.