The Regional Security System Training Institute (RSS TI) has announced an ambitious training agenda for 2025, featuring forty-two (42) specialized courses designed to strengthen the region’s security architecture and improve readiness among law enforcement and military agencies.
The course offerings span key operational areas such as Cybercrime Investigation, Crime Scene Management, Financial Crime and Asset Recovery, Maritime Operations, Prosecution, Leadership and Management, and Instructor Development. The training is intended to address identified capability gaps and enhance the skills, knowledge, and professionalism of personnel across all ranks.
According to Assistant Staff Officer with the RSS TI, Dr. Raffie Browne, the programmes were developed following a comprehensive 2023 Training Needs Assessment conducted across Member States, as well as intelligence gathered from the RSS Regional Crime Observatory.
“Our curriculum reflects the real challenges faced by our Member States,” Dr. Browne stated. “Each course is tailored to offer practical solutions to recurring threats while equipping participants to manage emerging issues such as cybercrime, artificial intelligence risks, and climate-related security concerns.”
Each training module incorporates hands-on learning and culminates with certification upon successful completion. In a significant development, the RSS TI was officially approved in August 2024 as a CARICOM Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Centre by the Barbados TVET Council. This approval allows participants to earn regionally recognized certifications in four disciplines, with more qualifications expected to be added in the coming year.
The Institute has also partnered with regional and international tertiary institutions to deliver some courses as certified programmes of study. Dr. Browne further disclosed that the Institute is pursuing accreditation from both the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) and the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST).
“The economics of accreditation encompass a complex interplay of costs, benefits, and return on investment,” he noted. “But the long-term advantages—such as enhanced institutional credibility, funding access, and elevated training standards—justify the effort.”
Dr. Browne affirmed that beyond responding to today’s security environment, the RSS TI remains committed to shaping the future of regional law enforcement through structured, forward-thinking training programmes.
