Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police

An Initiative to Address the Special Needs of Female Officers in Service

The Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Farquharson, President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) envisioned the possibility of the women within the region coming together in a unified effort to advance their concerns and forward recommendations as a regional body. He had experienced first hand the importance of having effective networks with his comrades within the region and wanted to develop this same type of network for female officers in the Caribbean.

In September 2005, at the 112th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference he met with female representatives from the IACP to look at the feasibility of creating a body that dealt specifically with women in law enforcement. This proved to be a very productive meeting and plans were put in motion for the establishment of an association for women within the Caribbean region.

In October 2005, Commissioner Farquharson met with the female officers of The Royal Bahamas Police Force and challenged them to take the lead and host the women of the region at their upcoming conference. Excitedly, these women boldly took up the challenge and agreed to host the region in this historical venture. He in turn, as President of the ACCP, set up a desk at the head office in Barbados to assist with the dissemination of information  throughout the region, concerning the conference

In November 2005, at the ACCP Intercessional Meeting, after much debate, the Commissioners of the ACCP unanimously endorsed the establishment of an association of female police officers in the region, under the auspices of the ACCP.