The Centre for Security, Counter Terrorism and Nonproliferation is positioned to be the Caribbean region's leading authority on global security concerns. Established in may 2018, the Centre has adopted an innovative and multi-disciplinary approach to the delivery of high-quality research, consultancy services, education and training for clients in the public and private sectors. Utilizing the Blue Ocean Strategy as its framework, the CSCTN's research and consultancy priorities, as well as its educational and training programmes aim to fill the gaps between existing security sector capacities and the evolving demand for 21st century solutions which will effect immediate and positive impact on comprehensive security concerns.

"Our aim is to promote smart security innovations and techniques in addressing contemporary security challenges within the Caribbean region and beyond."

Owen Ellington, Executive Director, CSCTN

The Centre's security products inform and shape security solutions for government and industry. Its capabilities include expertise ranging from form Twenty-First century policing which integrates innovative technologies with intelligence tools, to Counter Terrorism, Nonproliferation of Weapons of mass Destruction (WMDs), and Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), Cyber Security and Forensic Sciences. Its staff comes with decades of professional experience in their respective fields and focus on the most pressing issues that impact security regionally and globally.

The Centre for Security, Counter Terrorism and Non-Proliferation at the Caribbean Maritime University was established on May 1, 2018 in part fulfilment of the broad objective of the university to produce industry leaders to meet international standards by providing quality education, technical and vocational training. The Centre’s focus is on research and education in security, counter terrorism and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and small and light weapons (SALW) as well as the provision of high level consultancy services on a broad range of security issues to both local and international clients in industries and governments.

The centre aims to close the gap in what is a visible absence of context designed academic programmes geared towards preparing professionals for senior supervisory and leadership positions in security planning and management across a range of sectors such as Maritime, Transport, Vital Installations and Infrastructure, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing and Cyber Space Protection. The CSCTN is responsible for the delivery of all security programmes at the CMU which includes the Security Administration and Management programme previously offered by the Faculty of Shipping and Logistics.

It also conducts research and development of programmes to meet the ever-changing demands of clientele.

Owen Ellington

Executive Director

Read Mr. Ellington's profile here.

Accepting the offer to establish and lead the Centre for Security Counterterrorism and Non-proliferation at the Caribbean Maritime University was an easy decision to make, never mind my desire to return after a long and demanding career in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The vision of the President of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Professor Fritz Pinnock in a brand in himself which attracts support and pride of association.

I am honoured to have been asked to take on this assignment and with each day of involvement in the work of the Centre I realize more and more how relevant the idea in to the prosperity and development of our country especially at a time when we are being positioned as a global logistic economy in what some describe as the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Under the leadership of the Centre, I will embrace and stream Blue Ocean thinking in every facet of the work. We will align our research and teachings to the needs of the market and we will make it a deliberate strategy to empower the students who pursue our various degree and professional certificate programmes.

We value partnership and will always seek to work in full cooperation with both internal and external patrons based on the principle of mutual dependence in the same way that we are committed to partnership. We are happy to share the success of the Centre’s achievement with stakeholders.

Owen Ellington

Executive Director

+1-876-924-8150 (Office)

oellington@cmu.edu.jm

Owen Ellington joined the Caribbean Maritime University after a distinguished career in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, in which he enlisted in 1980, gaining wide experience in various portfolios as he rose up the ranks to eventually serve as Commissioner of Police from 2010 to 2014.

During his career in the JCF, Mr. Ellington headed up various divisions such as the St. James police division, the Operations Branch, the Traffic Division, the Motorised Patrol Division and the Area Four Division.

Mr. Ellington is the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Technology, Jamaica and a Master of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies.

He also earned professional certificates from numerous universities abroad, including a certificate in National Security and Strategy from the University of Beijing, China and a Postgraduate Certificate in Transnational Security, Stability and Democracy from the National Defence University Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies in Washington DC, USA.

Assan Thompson

Head of Department

+1-876-924-8150 ext. 4020

athompson@cmu.edu.jm

Assan Thompson is responsible for providing oversight of the programmes and services of the Centre. He is also tasked with maintaining academic standards and overseeing and facilitating research. As head of department he maintains links between the Centre and other faculties and support curriculum development and high standards of teaching and research.

Mr. Thompson became part of the Caribbean Maritime University after completing close to forty two (42) years of distinguished service in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) having enlisted in 1976. During the distinguished career of Mr. Thompson in the Force he commanded some of the toughest police divisions in Jamaica, namely: St. Andrew North, Kingston Eastern and St. Catherine North.

He has been exposed to professional training locally and abroad and is the first police officer from the Caribbean region to attend the Senior Management Institute for Police at Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Prior to departing from the Jamaica Constabulary Force he was the national focal point representative for the Organization of American State (OAS) International Permanent Observatory (IPO) on major events planning and security in the Caribbean region.

His last assignment in the Jamaica Constabulary Force was head of Border Security Branch where he led the national effort in protecting the Jamaican borders and its
exclusive economic zone. He is the holder of a Master of Science Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies – Mona.