PARAMARIBO – Sint Maarten Police Chief Carl John has been elected president of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), strengthening the role of the Dutch Caribbean within the region's law enforcement and security framework.
John was elected during the 40th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the ACCP, held from May 11 to May 15 at the Royal Torarica Hotel in Paramaribo, Suriname. He previously served as the organization's first vice president since 2025 and now succeeds the outgoing president.
According to officials, John's election was unexpected, as candidates for the ACCP presidency are nominated by fellow members rather than putting themselves forward. His selection is seen as a strong vote of confidence from police leaders throughout the Caribbean.
The ACCP, founded in 1987, serves as the principal regional organization for police commissioners and law enforcement leaders across more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories. This year's conference was held under the theme "Organized Crime: Implications for Regional Development."
The conference focused heavily on the growing impact of organized crime on regional security, economic development, and social stability. Discussions examined how firearms violence, drug trafficking, smuggling, cybercrime, and organized criminal networks have become increasingly interconnected throughout the Caribbean.
Emerging technologies, intelligence gathering, and the use of artificial intelligence in policing were also key topics during the event.
All four police chiefs from the Dutch Caribbean participated in the conference, where the College of Police Chiefs delivered several presentations on regional security cooperation and crime-fighting strategies.
One of the presentations focused on "The Role of Crime Analysts in Assisting Law Enforcement in Combatting Crime in the Region." Participants discussed the increasing importance of intelligence and analytical capabilities in modern policing, particularly in identifying criminal networks, firearms trafficking routes, and cross-border criminal connections.
Officials emphasized that firearms violence, drug-related crime, and gang activity are becoming increasingly linked throughout the region, highlighting the need for stronger information sharing and coordinated intelligence efforts among Caribbean law enforcement agencies.
Conference participants also reviewed the progress of the Regional Network Meeting for Analysts (RNA), which has evolved into an important platform for intelligence analysts from across the Caribbean to exchange information and collaborate on regional security issues.
During the conference, organizers announced that the fourth edition of the RNA is expected to take place in Medellín, Colombia, from November 24 to 26, 2026. The event will be held under the theme "Guns-Drugs-Gangs Nexus & Innovation."
Another initiative highlighted during the conference was the project "Strengthening Police Resilience in the Caribbean Region," which is being developed in cooperation with EL PAcCTO 2.0, a European Union-funded cooperation and capacity-building program involving Latin America and the Caribbean.
The program focuses on strengthening justice and security institutions and improving the fight against transnational organized crime.
As part of the initiative, a regional assessment will be conducted in the coming months to identify existing programs, challenges, and operational needs among Caribbean police forces.
John's election is expected to further enhance cooperation among Caribbean law enforcement agencies at a time when regional authorities are facing increasingly sophisticated criminal organizations operating across national borders.