Superintendent Junior Simmons represents St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Fifth (5th) United Nations Chiefs of Police UNCOPS) Summit
July 13, 2026 – Kingstown: Superintendent of Police Mr. Junior Simmons, Head of the Special Branch and Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit (ATIPU), represented the Commissioner of Police and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026), held from July 7–8, 2026, at the United Nations General Assembly Headquarters in New York, United States.
The prestigious two-day summit brought together 145 national delegations, including Ministers responsible for Defence, National Security, Interior, Home Affairs and senior police executives from around the world, alongside senior United Nations officials. Among those addressing the summit were Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Commissioner Faisal Shahkar, United Nations Police Adviser and Officer-in-Charge of the Office of Mine Action and Police; and Mr. Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, who delivered remarks on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The opening ceremony also included a minute of silence in honour of police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Recognized as the world’s premier forum for senior police leadership, the UNCOPS Summit provides a strategic platform for discussing emerging global security threats, strengthening international policing partnerships, and shaping the future of law enforcement within an increasingly complex security environment.
Throughout the summit, delegates examined a range of critical issues affecting international peace and security. Plenary sessions focused on three (3) main thematic areas:
• The Future Vision of United Nations Policing, including adapting policing strategies to evolving peace operations and complex security environments.
• Innovation and Emerging Technologies in Policing, highlighting the use of technology to improve operational effectiveness, accountability, transparency and digital transformation within United Nations policing.
• Strengthening International Cooperation to Address Transnational Threats, with emphasis on organized crime, environmental crime, trafficking in persons, illicit firearms trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities.
The summit also reaffirmed the vital role of police services in maintaining international peace and security.
While in New York, Superintendent Simmons also paid courtesy calls on Her Excellency Vynnette Frederick, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, and Mr. Roland Matthews, Consul General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States. Discussions focused on strengthening international law enforcement cooperation, enhancing collaboration with international organizations, and advancing opportunities for capacity building in policing and security.
Reflecting on the experience, Superintendent Simmons stated:
“It was a singular honour and a deeply humbling experience to participate in the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit and to deliberate within the halls of the United Nations General Assembly on issues that have profound implications for global, regional and national security. I am sincerely grateful to the Commissioner of Police and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the confidence placed in me to represent our country at this important international forum.”
Participation in UNCOPS 2026 reflects the continued commitment of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force to strengthening international partnerships, embracing innovation, and enhancing its capacity to combat transnational crime while promoting peace, security and the rule of law.
The Sixth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS) is scheduled to be held in 2028.
