May 15, 2008 — "Managing Emerging Challenges to Regional Law Enforcement" is the central theme of the 23rd annual Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, held at the Sunset Jamaica Grand Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, W.I. The conference began Wednesday and closes Monday.
Attending the conference are police commissioners representing more than 24 Caribbean countries, islands and nations. Also attending are a host of federal crime and drug-reduction agencies, senate and parliament members as well as ministers of security, intelligence and defense.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin of Jamaica. Lewin, born and raised in Ocho Rios, said the conference will address the challenges of crime and security in the Caribbean Region.
"Together and with the help of the Jamaican public there is no challenge we cannot overcome," he said.
Also making opening remarks was Corneal Trevor McMillan. McMillan was appointed recently as the new minister of security in response to the rise in crime in Jamaica. McMillan, a former commissioner of police, has a long history of service to the Jamaican government, including stints in the military and parliament.
Commissioner James H. McCall is participating in the session, panel discussions and plenary sessions, which run from early morning to after 5 p.m. every day. The information shared and gathered at conferences such as this is vital to the growth of police departments, he said.
"We have to think about policing as a global issue," McCall said. "I have found that most Caribbean police forces have the same problems as we have in the Virgin Islands. This makes interaction between regional police departments vital; not only because criminals travel from island to island committing crimes, but because the Caribbean is the major trans-shipment point for illegal drugs. Trafficking drugs and its effect on society is the central cause of crime in the region."
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
