Caribbean Police Officers Strengthen Crime Scene Investigation Skills Through PACE Justice Programme

Police officers from across the Caribbean are sharpening their ability to deliver justice grounded in evidence and human rights. Around 40 senior officers from 10 countries have completed an intensive crime scene investigation training under the PACE Justice Programme, a flagship initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) that aims to strengthen justice systems and promote people-centered justice throughout the region.

Needs assessments by UNDP revealed that crime scene handling and investigative case-building remain critical areas for capacity strengthening in the Caribbean judicial systems. Directly responding to these needs, the five-day workshop focused on advanced investigative strategies, evidence-based case building, and crime scene management. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions covering evidence collection, forensic documentation, and the use of modern investigative tools.

Delivered by UNDP and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Regional Security System (RSS) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), the training took place from 29 September – 3 October at the RSS Headquarters in Barbados. 

Officials addressing the training workshop noted that equipping senior officers with advanced skills to conduct thorough, rights-based investigations is a vital step towards reducing case backlogs and building public trust in justice systems across the Caribbean. This lies at the heart of the PACE Justice Programme – enhancing institutional capacities across criminal justice processes in the Caribbean to ensure cases are managed more effectively and efficiently.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Attorney General of Barbados, Mr. Timothy Maynard, noted, “Police investigation is a cornerstone of any functioning justice system. The public’s confidence in the justice system begins with the integrity and professionalism of police investigations. That is why this training is so vital. Justice must be people-centered — accessible, responsive, and inclusive, grounded in the lived realities of those it serves.”

Assistant Superintendent Cecil Watson of the RSS highlighted, “The structured in-country mentorship component will provide direct, hands-on guidance tailored to the complexities of national cases and specific country needs.” He added that the training complements other capacity-building initiatives across the region, including those tailored to junior officers: “Together, these efforts form part of a wider strategy to elevate policing standards, enhance justice delivery, and build stronger, more resilient law enforcement institutions in the Caribbean. 

Attaché – Security, Justice & Human Rights at the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Mr. Alessandro Tedesco, said, “The presence of European trainers here is a tangible sign of the EU’s commitment to enhancing law enforcement capacities in the Caribbean, fostering a comprehensive and collaborative effort for justice reform. The EU is fully committed to supporting this training and the broader objectives of the PACE Justice Programme to ensure sustainable improvements in the region’s justice systems.”

UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ms. Limya Eltayeb, said, “This initiative represents a powerful example of what we can achieve through collaboration – bringing together regional expertise and international partners to enhance the quality of police investigations. The workshop is part of a broader reform effort under the PACE Justice Programme, which also includes technology upgrades, legislative support, and regional peer learning to modernize justice delivery and strengthen institutions in the Caribbean.” (PR)

Caption: Police officers take part in practical exercises at the crime scene investigation training workshop delivered in Barbados by UNDP’s PACE Justice Programme and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the Regional Security System (RSS) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL).