The Chief Commissioner of the Sint Maarten Police Force, Carl John, has been elected as the president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP). The election took place during the ACCP’s 40th Annual General Meeting and Conference, held from May 11 to 15, 2026, at the Royal Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo, Suriname. Chief Commissioner John had been serving as the organization’s first vice-president since 2025 and now succeeds the outgoing president.
The election of Chief Commissioner John further strengthens the position of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom within regional police and security frameworks. Over the coming year, he will play a vital role in fostering cooperation among regional police forces and advancing joint security initiatives.
The election came as a complete surprise to Chief Commissioner John. Within the ACCP, candidates cannot nominate themselves; instead, they must be put forward by their peers. This appointment highlights the deep trust he commands across the region. Established in 1987, the ACCP serves as the collaborative network for police chiefs in the Caribbean, bringing together more than twenty countries and territories. This year, the conference theme was: “Organized Crime: Implications for Regional Development.”
Key Discussions and Focus Areas
The central focus of this year’s conference was the impact of organized crime on security, the economy, and social development. Discussions centered around the increasing interconnectedness of firearm violence, drug trafficking, smuggling, cybercrime, and organized networks. Intelligence, technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) were also high on the agenda. All four chief commissioners from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom attended the meeting, and several presentations were delivered on behalf of the Board of Chief Commissioners:
The Role of Crime Analysts: A presentation titled “The Role of Crime Analysts in Assisting Law Enforcement in Combatting Crime in the Region” highlighted the expanding role of intelligence and analysis in policing. Presenters explained how analysts help map out criminal networks, trace firearm flows, and uncover cross-border links between incidents and suspects. They also addressed how firearm violence, drug trafficking, and gangs are increasingly intertwined, making regional information exchange and joint analysis vital.
Regional Network Meeting for Analysts (RNA): Updates were shared regarding the RNA, which has grown into a key regional platform for analysts to share knowledge. It was announced that the fourth edition of the RNA is expected to take place from November 24 to 26, 2026, in Medellín, Colombia, under the theme “Guns-Drugs-Gangs Nexus & Innovation.”
Officer Resilience Project: A final presentation covered the project “Strengthening the Resilience of Police Officers in the Caribbean Region,” which is being developed in partnership with EL PAcCTO 2.0. This European Union cooperation and capacity-building program aims to strengthen justice and security institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the coming months, a regional assessment will be conducted to map out existing initiatives and needs within Caribbean police forces.