The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) together with the United States (US) Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is strengthening the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI)-Connect Learning Management System (LMS), expanding its reach and deepening its impact, while embracing new technological innovations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the CBSI-Connect Strategic Planning Conference, Mr. Earl Harris, Assistant Director – Corporate Services, CARICOM IMPACS, explained that the CBSI-Connect initiative was one of the most significant examples of regional collaboration in the Region’s shared pursuit of stronger security frameworks.

Funded by the INL, and managed by CARICOM IMPACS, the LMS has been able to expand its reach, enhance technological infrastructure and offer law enforcement officers across the Caribbean, the training they need to effectively combat transnational crime.

Mr. Harris noted that since its inception in 2012, the CBSI-Connect LMS has grown into a robust platform that serves 19 law enforcement academies across CARICOM Member States and the Dominican Republic. It has delivered over 290 courses, benefiting more than 38,000 law enforcement officers across the Caribbean.

“These numbers not only tell a story of growth, resilience and success, but they also point to the enduring need for continued collaboration and investment in the future of this initiative. Not only have we provided critical training across a range of disciplines, but the platform has also facilitated substantial cost savings, amounting to over US$35 million in travel expenses alone, funds which have been reinvested to enhance our training programmes,” he added.

However, he pointed out that the success of the platform was not solely measured by the cost savings achieved, but the impact it has had on the officers who have participated and the communities they serve. This initiative has been able to empower officers to enhance their skills, deepen their knowledge and adopt new approaches to the complex security challenges we face in the Caribbean.

Mr. Harris took the opportunity to express CARICOM IMPACS’ gratitude to the INL for their unwavering support and funding which has been critical to the success of CBSI-Connect. He also thanked other regional and international partners including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Pan American Development Fund (PADF) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), all of which, have utilised the platformto deliver essential training content to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies across the Region.

He urged participants at the Conference to focus on how the Region can collectively chart a path forward that builds on the momentum already created by CBSI-Connect, while addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Mr. Sam Kroll, Foreign Affairs Officer, INL, said CBSI-Connect has been an exemplary success for INL-supported programmes in the Region, ensuring that resources and training that support shared priorities are distributed broadly across the Caribbean. He also acknowledged the success of CARICOM IMPACS in assuming ownership of CBSI-Connect and continuing to build upon the initial launch more than five years ago. “CARICOM IMPACS’ management of this regional asset is representative of the strength of empowered regional institutions,” he remarked.

Mr. Kroll noted that continued collaboration during the Conference will help guide the next phase of CBSI-Connect and will have significant impact on preparing law enforcement professionals with modern tools and practices as they address trafficking in narcotics and firearms, transnational criminal organisations and the safety of citizens and visitors to the Caribbean.

Mrs. Erla Harewood-Christopher, Commissioner of Police, Trinidad and Tobago, congratulated CARICOM IMPACS for being an “extraordinary organisation, which over time has provided priceless security services throughout the Region.”

One of those services was CBSI-Connect which she said has proven to be a tool that significantly reduced countries’ educational financial expenditure, by virtually disseminating many training courses simultaneously. “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is indebted to you for providing us with appropriate training to the wider local participants in a timely way,” she asserted.

The Regional Conference on the CBSI-Connect LMS takes place from 28-29 November 2024 and is being held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. It was convened in-person for the first time and participants include key stakeholders, Heads of Law Enforcement Training Academies and CBSI-Connect Site Administrators. The aim of the Conference is to develop a Strategic Framework Roadmap and Action Plan to guide the development of the platform over the next five years.