Police Commissioner Mario Brooks of the Virgin Islands Police Department has been elected First Vice-President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP), placing the US Virgin Islands in a key leadership role in regional policing.

Brooks was elected by fellow commissioners during the ACCP’s 40th annual conference in Suriname, where law enforcement leaders from across the Caribbean met to discuss organised crime and its impact on regional development.

Speaking after his election, Brooks said the role is both an honour and a responsibility, noting that it reflects the work being done by the VIPD in recent years.

“This is more than a personal milestone; it is a recognition of the Virgin Islands’ commitment to regional security,” he said.

He said one of his priorities will be strengthening cooperation among Caribbean police forces, particularly in tackling organised criminal networks that operate across borders.

Brooks also pointed to the importance of modernising policing across the region, including greater use of technology such as drones and data-driven tools, as well as sharing best practices.

The ACCP serves as a platform for collaboration among Caribbean law enforcement agencies, supporting efforts such as intelligence sharing, joint training and coordinated responses to crime.

Brooks said the US Virgin Islands is ready to play a stronger role in those efforts.

“Our strength lies in our unity,” he added.