WHAT IS THE CARICOM IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY FOR CRIME AND SECURITY (IMPACS)?

The Agency is the nerve centre of the Region’s new multilateral Crime and Security management architecture, specifically designed to administer a collective response to the Crime and Security priorities of Member States, under the directives of, and with reporting responsibility to the Council of Ministers for National Security and Law Enforcement. IMPACS core functions include:

• The implementation of actions agreed by the Council relating to crime and security;
• The development and implementation of projects in furtherance of the Agency’s objectives;
• The initiation and development of proposals for consideration and determination by the Council;
• Advising the Council on appropriate regional responses to Crime and Security arrangements on the basis of research and analysis;
• The execution of regional projects relating to matters of crime and security;
• Providing a clearing house for relevant information in matters relating to crime and security;
• Mobilizing resources in support of the regional Crime and Security agenda and negotiation of technical assistance;
• Contributing to the development and implementation of strategies for effective representation of CARICOM on a regional and international level on matters relating to crime and security;
• The dissemination of information to Contracting Parties with respect to evolving regional and international trends in crime and security;
• The collaboration and co-ordination with national and international crime prevention and control agencies to determine trends, methodologies and strategies for crime prevention and enhancing security for the Community; and
• Developing, in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, roles, functions and Rules of Procedure for such Committees as may be established in furtherance of the regional Crime and Security agenda.

IMPACS also has responsibility for the co-ordination of meetings of five sub-committees:
• the Standing Committee of Commissioners of Police;
• the Standing Committee of Military Heads;
• the Standing Committee of Chiefs of Immigration;
• the Standing Committee of Heads of Custom; and
• the Standing Committee of Heads of Intelligence and Financial Investigative Units.

IMPACS is headed by an Executive Director who reports to the CARICOM Council of Ministers for National Security and Law Enforcement. The Council is responsible for the policy and overall direction of the activities and programmes of IMPACS.