CBSI Connect Regionalization And
Transition To Caribbean Stewardship
Background
CBSI-Connect is a law enforcement training mechanism that includes a learning management system, content hosting, classroom video conferencing and a network of police academies and other institutions that host and participate in trainings. With the onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the importance of virtual learning in the development of human resource capacity has been reinforced as a more convenient, quick and costeffective manner for convening and hosting meetings and training.
Objectives and Impact
The regionalization of CBSI-Connect signals the transferal of stewardship of the platform to CARICOM IMPACS, aimed at offering training to a wider cross section of individuals and at all levels in a viable and sustainable manner. The project will also promote the use of the CBSI connect platform to Regional Law Enforcement Agencies, provide certified courses and increase the number of courses being offered/delivered from CARICOM IMPACS facilities and from regional partners especially in critical areas identified and to foster intra-regional and south-south cooperation in a cost-effective manner. The project is funded through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) and CARICOM IMPACS. The direct beneficiaries of this project include CARICOM IMPACS, law enforcement agencies, law enforcement training schools/academies and law enforcement officers in the Caribbean region including the Dominican Republic.
Status
The project is now in the first year of transition, during which IMPACS will become a sub-site, increase its human resources, and expand its technical capacity with a view to taking greater responsibility for managing its own content and users and for the promotion the program. CARICOM IMPACS will now be able to organize and host a significant number of critical training programmes which are targeted at law enforcement officers throughout the Member States. It will become a Regional Centre of Excellence intended to enhance the capacity of law enforcement and security capabilities. The facility will also enable the standardization of training in the region across institutions, which will strengthen the region’s ability to work cooperatively and collectively.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) was established by the Twenty Seventh Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in July 2006, in Bird Rock, St Kitts and Nevis, as the implementation arm of a new Regional Architecture to manage CARICOM’s action agenda on crime and security.
