A cohort of 20 law enforcement officers and prosecutors from across the Eastern Caribbean has completed an intensive Regional Security System (RSS) programme aimed at strengthening criminal prosecution and improving justice delivery across member states.
The RSS Training Institute’s Criminal Practice and Procedure Course, funded through the 11th European Development Fund, combined six weeks of online instruction with two weeks of face-to-face training and brought together participants from police, customs, immigration and prosecution services across seven RSS member states.
Assistant Superintendent Cecil Watson, staff officer for training at RSS headquarters at Paragon, said the course was specifically designed to improve the prosecution capabilities of officers across the region.
“Today marks the successful conclusion of a programme that was carefully designed to strengthen the prosecutor capabilities of officers across the member states of the Regional Security System.”
He explained that participants had been equipped with “the knowledge, practical skills, and contemporary prosecutorial techniques required to effectively conduct criminal prosecutions in summary courts”, adding that those competencies were “essential to ensure that justice is administered fairly, professionally, and in accordance with the rule of law”.
Watson also thanked the European Union for supporting the initiative, saying its investment continued to strengthen the institutional capacity of the RSS and advance criminal justice throughout the region.
Deputy executive director of the RSS Atlee Rodney reminded graduates that their responsibility extends far beyond obtaining convictions.
“Today is more than a closing of a course. It marks the beginning of an even greater responsibility.”
Justice Elwood Watts.
He told participants that the knowledge and skills they acquired would influence criminal investigations, prosecutions and public confidence in the justice system.
Rodney encouraged the graduates to continue developing professionally as they return home and strengthen justice systems throughout the region as criminal activity becomes increasingly sophisticated.
“Continuous learning, sound judgment, ethical decision-making, and professional integrity are essential if you are to meet these emerging challenges effectively. Justice depends on dedicated professionals like you.”
Representing the European Union, Dr Florian Lütticken, team leader for governance, security and human development at the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States, drew on personal experience from his hometown and said the organisation supports the programme because crime increasingly crosses national borders.
“We really deeply believe that cooperation, exchange, joint training, joint contracts between different police forces, between different law enforcement agencies, between different judicial agencies of different countries really makes a difference.”
Lütticken disclosed that the EU is preparing a “new cooperation programme with RSS… and it should focus particularly on cybercrime”.
Lead facilitator and Director of Public Prosecutions for Antigua and Barbuda Clement Joseph reflected on the programme’s evolution, explaining that it grew out of discussions more than a decade ago to improve prosecution standards within the region.
“This course was conceptualised sometime in 2015 to 16… we recognised there was a technical deficiency of prosecution.”
Deputy Executive Director of the RSS Atlee Rodney.
Joseph praised the graduates for their performance during the practical exercises. Encouraging participants to continue improving the justice system in their respective countries, he added, “If you’re successful in the region, I am successful.”
Delivering the feature address, High Court Justice Elwood Watts stressed that prosecutors occupy one of the most important positions within the justice system.
“True lasting security does not begin or end in the field. It is anchored, upheld, and fortified in the courtroom.”
He challenged graduates to recognise the significance of their work.
“You are that first bastion… you are that first voice and presence standing in a courtroom that says justice will either be served.”
Justice Watts urged participants never to become complacent: “You cannot afford to be that weak link.”
He also reminded them that integrity and compassion should remain central to their careers: “You are crafting a society.”
Drawing on a recent sentencing case before the high court, Justice Watts emphasised that justice requires fairness as well as humanity:
“Have to bring your humanity… to your job. It is not dollars and cents.”
He concluded by urging graduates to become professionals whose character matches their legal ability:
“Your real achievement is going to be bound up in your character.”
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Corporal Milton Jeremy of the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force described the training as “a landmark professional development opportunity”.
He said officers from across the region strengthened their prosecutorial skills while sharing experiences and best practices as “the course not only met but exceeded” expectations.
Jeremy said the moot court exercise allowed participants to sharpen their courtroom advocacy in a realistic environment.
Participant Heidigail Francis also praised the programme in her testimony, describing facilitator Clement Joseph as an exceptional educator.
“The evidence overwhelmingly supports one conclusion: this program was exceptionally organised, professionally delivered, and highly impactful.”
She added, “This course truly represents the gold standard for inter-agency legal training.”
Closing the ceremony, Corporal Preeta Douglas of the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force thanked the facilitators and organisers for delivering what she described as an empowering programme.
“We leave this training not only more knowledgeable, but also more inspired and more determined to discharge our duties with integrity, fairness, and excellence.”
The graduating class included officers and prosecutors from Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. (LE)
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