The Regional Security System (RSS)
BARBADOS / ST LUCIA – The Regional Security System (RSS) continues to serve as a cornerstone of regional integration and a critical mechanism for advancing the shared security interests of the region, underscored by acting commissioner of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, (RSLPF) Ronald Phillips, as he delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the RSS’s two-day security chiefs meeting, currently being held at the The Harbour Club.
Acting Commissioner Phillips of the RSLPF stressed that the structure of the RSS demonstrates how success can be achieved through a unified approach to addressing security challenges.
“Today, our security architecture is being shaped by a complex interplay of global events … These forces continue to test the resilience of our institutions and pose significant challenges to the rule of law across jurisdictions. As small island states we share unique vulnerabilities, yet we also share a collective strength,” he asserted.
The acting Commissioner noted that the RSS biannual meeting is therefore essential in confronting the region’s evolving security realities.
“Forums such as this provide us with a vital platform to openly discuss the challenges we face and, more importantly, to develop practical, coordinated solutions. Whether addressing traditional threats or emerging risks, our ability to collaborate effectively will determine how well we safeguard our people and our borders,” Phillips maintained.
During the first day of deliberations, officials from across the region, along with representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, CARICOM IMPACS and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, delivered presentations on several key issues.
These included enhancing maritime domain awareness, advancing the RSS Logistics Hub under the Regional Maritime Sustainment Initiative, and exploring considerations for the strategic repositioning of the region’s disaster management system.
Meanwhile, three members of staff at the Regional Security System (RSS) headquarters have earned certification in Caribbean Security and Defense after successfully completing a specialised course hosted by the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies.
Elizabeth Bynoe, Sadio Harris, and Captain Dr Dreana Marshall were among the 52 participants who took part in the residential phase of the programme, held in Washington, DC from March 9 to 20, 2026.
Deputy executive director of the RSS, Atlee Rodney, who served as a visiting professor for the course, stated that the programme was highly important and particularly relevant for senior law enforcement and defence officers across the region.
“The topics covered were relevant to present regional security challenges. I am of the view that this course has achieved its objectives and has transformed the participants to be more effective in their respective roles in keeping our region safe and secure,” he affirmed.
During the two-week programme, participants examined several key issues, including transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity, illicit finance and money laundering, cyber threats, geopolitical competition, and the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. They also assessed how these dynamics intersect with policy frameworks in the United States and broader trends across the Western Hemisphere.
