Projects
Ongoing Projects
CARICOM IMPACS commenced execution of the 11th EDF project entitled: ‘Capacity Building for CARIFORUM Member States on Asset Recovery and Cybercrime’ in January 2019. The project has a lifecycle of 48 months. The overall objective of the project Capacity Development of CARIFORUM Member States on Financial Compliance, Asset Recovery and Cybercrime, is to contribute to the improvement and sustainability of safety and security in the CARIFORUM region. The project is subdivided into two (2) areas, Asset Recovery and Cybercrime.
CBSI Connect regionalization and transition to Caribbean stewardship
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 cost-effective manner for convening and hosting meetings and training.
The operationalisation of an enhanced border system is the aim of the “Establishment of Integrated Border Systems Project.” The project will create a maritime single window for use in the OECS – Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A Maritime Single Window (MSW) is a digital platform where relevant information regarding ships, passengers and cargo is stored and available to all appropriate personnel and agencies. The main function of the MSW is to provide stakeholders with a single electronic portal for completion of multiple documentation in relation to vessels, cargo and passengers which are required by the relevant border agencies. It will consolidate existing and new procedural requirements across all relevant border agencies for the entry and exit of cargo ships, cruise liners, ferries, etc. into the OECS – as well as integrate existing arrangements for advanced passenger and cargo information and other complementary structures – in a single portal, accessible to the various stakeholders involved in maritime transportation, logistics and border control operations.
Digital Transformation Project in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
CARICOM IMPACS has been engaged as a key implementation partner by the World Bank to provide support to the Cyber component of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Programme. The program will, among other things, increase access to digital services, technologies and skills by governments, businesses and individuals in the participating Eastern Caribbean countries. The project comprises three components that address key bottlenecks and harness opportunities to develop the Eastern Caribbean Digital Economy as a driver of growth, job creation and improved service delivery:
- Digital Enabling Environment
- Digital Government Infrastructure, Platforms and Services
- Digital Scales and Technology Adoption
Enhancing the Regulation, Oversight and Governance of the Private Security Industry
The private security industry plays an important
role in ensuring security for citizens, communities, businesses and visitors,
often complementing the capacities of police and law enforcement. However, in
the absence of effective regulations, oversight, and governance structures, the
activities of private security companies have raised valid concerns with
respect to professionalism, legality, legitimacy and accountability in the
provision of security. An insufficiently regulated private security sector may
also be a major challenge for the advancement of labour laws and the rule of
law.
Regional Integrated Ballistic Information Network
The Regional Integrated Ballistic Information Network targets ‘crime guns’ through ballistic identification and sharing of information among CARICOM Member States’ law enforcement, border and customs control agencies and ultimately with potential source countries.
At the Fifth Meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) in 2008, the meeting endorsed a Regional Integrated Ballistic Information Network (RIBIN) with the use of Automated Ballistic Identification Systems (ABIS) which would comprise a minimum four (4) key components:
- Ballistic Scanner,
- Signature Extraction Unit,
- Data Storage Unit and
- Correlation Server.
This would be done through the linking of Integrated Ballistic Information Systems (IBIS) in the CARICOM Member States and Associate Members.
Risk Management Support to ACIS Programme
Objective and Impact
The objective of the project is to sensitize and train staff at the Joint Regional Communication Centre (JRCC) in the use of the WCO’s Cargo Targeting System to assist not only with the detection of SALW but also with precursor chemicals, asymmetric imports among others.
Status
The WCO provided support by funding a consultant from the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency to assist in the development of the risk management function for the ACIS in November. A second workshop is to be finalized.
Completed Projects
10th EDF CARIFORUM CRIME AND SECURITY COOPERATION
Strengthening CARICOM capacity to prevent and detect illegal activity at its borders and to enable increased prosecution and higher conviction rates
This project which focused on strengthening the technical and human capacity of the CARICOM Region to prevent, detect and minimize the opportunity for illegal activity at the borders and within Member States and to enable higher conviction rates on crimes perpetrated was completed in 2019.
Upgrade of crisis monitoring and management systems for CARICOM Member States
CARICOM IMPACS worked with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the GIZ through the Global Crisis Room Support Programme (GCRSP) to successfully facilitate the conduct of a series of training to enhance the capacity of regional agencies to operate in a crisis situation. This project done alongside the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the CARICOM Security Cluster agencies was valued at Euro 2.6 million. IMPACS coordinated this major project for the region through relationship management between the donors and the participating agencies as well as materially contributing to the logistical aspects of the engagement.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
Illegal firearms feature in many of the crimes of violence and homicides committed in CARICOM Member States. CARICOM’s response has been one of heightened priority on discussion agendas and has articulated it support of the United Nations Programme of Action (PoA) as one of the primary international instruments for the controls of small arms and light weapons.
In addressing the issues relating to the implementation of the UN PoA, the Meeting of the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) in April 2008 and May 2009 the Conference of Heads of Government Meeting in July 2009 urged CARICOM Member States which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Firearms Protocol. States were also encouraged to meet their obligations under the InterAmerican Convention against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearm and other related Materials (CIFTA).
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.
