News Releases

The UWI and TTPS Partner to Strengthen Law Enforcement Education and Training

For Release Upon Receipt - August 21, 2026

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago — 21 August 2026: The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine Campus and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Police Academy have renewed and strengthened their partnership through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing law enforcement education, professional development, research and capacity building in Trinidad and Tobago. 

The agreement was signed on Tuesday 18 August 2026 by Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI, St. Augustine, and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration and Operational Support, Mr. Junior Benjamin, on behalf of the TTPS. 

In marking the significance of the signing, Professor Antoine noted, “This is therefore not simply the renewal of an agreement. Rather, it is the strengthening of a framework for collaboration that can contribute to a safer, more resilient society by working together to address today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.” 

The renewed partnership builds on the institutions’ previous engagement while establishing a more structured and strategic framework for collaboration. It will expand opportunities for educational advancement, specialised training, research, knowledge exchange and professional development for members of the TTPS. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin underscored the importance of strengthening the connection between academic knowledge and policing practice, noting, “This MOU will provide a framework for strengthening the relationship between academia and law enforcement practice. This partnership will provide and promote greater collaboration in research, training, knowledge exchange as well as professional development.” 

The MoU will also create opportunities for The UWI faculty and students to engage with policing through research, internships, training and practical learning, while providing a platform for collaborative research, grant development, consultancies and other initiatives designed to generate evidence and knowledge to inform policing practice and respond to emerging national challenges. 

“As crime evolves in complexity and form, so too must our policing, and this agreement represents a step in that direction,” Professor Antoine said. 

A key feature of the partnership is its potential to leverage The UWI’s expertise and technological capabilities in support of modern policing. These include artificial intelligence (AI), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital biometric fingerprinting and other innovation-driven approaches that can contribute to more efficient, data-informed decision-making and strategic planning. 

Unlike the previous agreement, the new MoU moves the relationship from broad cooperation towards a more deliberate and structured institutional partnership, incorporating mechanisms for needs assessment, joint planning and periodic review. It also creates expanded opportunities for academic articulation, credit recognition, staff development, student engagement, research collaboration and knowledge exchange. 

The framework is designed to evolve alongside the changing demands of policing and national security, with stronger governance arrangements and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. 

“Ultimately, the objective is larger than any individual initiative contemplated under this MOU. It is about investing in the human and institutional capacity of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and, through that investment, contributing to a more professional, evidence-informed, innovative and effective Police Service that serves the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Professor Antoine said. 

The partnership underscores the important role of tertiary education institutions in national development and reflects a shared commitment by The UWI and the TTPS to using education, research, innovation and professional training to strengthen institutional capacity, build safer communities and contribute to a stronger and more resilient Trinidad and Tobago. 

Photo 1 - Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Junior Benjamin and Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (The UWI) exchange greetings during the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between The UWI, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Police Academy.  

Photo 2 - Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (The UWI) addresses guests during the signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding between The UWI, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Police Academy. 

Photo 3 - Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Junior Benjamin and Prof. Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (The UWI) sign the Memorandum of Understanding formalising their collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Police Academy.

END 

About The University of the West Indies 

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region. 

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world. 

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This recognition has also spring boarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development. 

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu. 

Contact