Area Three Poised for Continued Gains Under New Leadership Says ACP Phillips

AREA THREE POISED FOR CONTINUED GAINS UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP, SAYS ACP PHILLIPS

As Police Area Three builds on a year of strong crime-clearance results, its newly appointed Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Phillips, says the area is well-positioned to achieve even more in the months ahead.

Speaking in an interview following his appointment, ACP Phillips said the performance of the divisions in the area last year was a clear indication that “serious work has been going on in Area Three.” “In terms of crime control, the divisions produce remarkable results,” he said.

He highlighted Manchester’s record of 35 murders last year, with 28 cleared, a clear-up rate of 80 per cent, while St Elizabeth recorded 18 murders and cleared 15, representing an 83 per cent rate. Clarendon, he noted, ended the year with 41 murders and 42 cleared, a clearance rate of 102 per cent. “The area having 90 per cent clear-up signals to me that serious work has been going on in Area Three,” ACP Phillips said.

He added that the reception since his arrival had been overwhelmingly positive. “So far, the welcome has been very, very warm. The people are excited about what we will achieve for this year. They’re looking forward to my leadership of the area and what I have to bring to the table.”

While ACP Phillips recently led Police Area Five, he stressed that his connection to Area Three runs deep and long predates his latest appointment. “In my initial stage, I was a member of the Island Special Constabulary Force [ISCF], and I was sent into Area Three at the time,” he said. “I used to work in Manchester, Williamsfield to be exact, and was responsible for the Region Three Squad at the time, moving across all three parishes. So the area is familiar to me.”

He later returned to the space as Operations Officer for Clarendon, before moving on to other assignments.

Comparing his previous posting in Area Five with his new command, ACP Phillips said the policing landscape differs in tempo and character, but not in complexity. “Area Five would give you far more networking between criminal groupings—much more fast-paced. Area Three is a little on the slower side, but it is not without its own challenges.”

He pointed to issues such as domestic violence, the presence of gangs, post-disaster recovery in St Elizabeth, emerging public order concerns and praedial larceny. “With the post-Melissa challenges, St Elizabeth has its own unique challenges now, going through that rebuilding process,” he said. “You have pockets of public order issues and praedial larceny issues that tend to dominate these areas a bit.”

Despite those challenges, ACP Phillips said he was particularly encouraged by the quality of leadership already in place across the divisions. “The truth be told, I believe all three commanders have a good understanding of their divisions and the challenges, and most of our thought processes really align in terms of what we want to achieve this year,” he said.

He described Clarendon’s commander as “very detailed” and “meticulous,” noting his data-driven approach to decision-making. “He will dig down into his data and make deliberate strategic moves that will benefit the division. He has been doing that very, very well,” ACP Phillips said.

Of Manchester’s leadership, he pointed to hands-on command during moments of crisis.

“When we had the double murder Sunday morning, when I spoke to him sometime after two, he was heading on the ground to provide that kind of leadership,” he said. “He understands what is required.”

In St Elizabeth, ACP Phillips praised the commander’s strength in communication and community engagement. “He has been very strong on community engagement and communication and getting the team to respond when we have a crisis. He has been very outstanding with that,” he said.

ACP Phillips also acknowledged the work of the previous Area Commander, noting that last year’s results reflected continuity of leadership and effective strategy. “I think it’s a strong team in Area Three,” he said. “I’m just coming to provide even more insight and support for what they have been doing.”

Looking ahead, he said he was optimistic about what the area could accomplish. “I anticipate Area Three is going to achieve great things for this year.”