RCIPS Welfare Chairman represents the Cayman Islands at the Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Association and is named 1st Vise President for the organisation.
For a better experience on RCIPS, UPDATE YOUR BROWSER. For a better experience on RCIPS, UPDATE YOUR BROWSER. The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is a semi-independent department within the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). It operates under the oversight of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Anthony Ennis. The unit is staffed by a team of highly trained detectives with extensive investigative experience and dedicated civilian personnel. The PSU is committed to maintaining trust, integrity, and accountability within the RCIPS, ensuring that all officers adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards.
The PSU plays a vital role in enhancing professionalism within the RCIPS by:
•Investigating complaints related to police misconduct.
•Providing guidance and training to support continuous professional development.
•Addressing misconduct in a fair and transparent manner to strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
•Identifying performance gaps and recommending strategies to improve policing standards.
By carrying out these functions, the PSU helps ensure that officers are equipped to serve the community with fairness, professionalism, and respect.
The PSU plays a critical role in supporting the RCIPS Strategic Policing Plan 2024-2026, specifically in achieving the goal of delivering a professional policing service through:
•Upholding police integrity with robust disciplinary procedures and ethical oversight.
•Ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of complaints.
•Promoting public trust by addressing misconduct and maintaining high professional standards.
•Strengthening internal governance by aligning investigations with principles of due process and fairness.
•Enhancing policing practices through training initiatives and continuous evaluation.
These efforts contribute to the RCIPS’ mission of working with our communities, for our communities, to create a safer Cayman Islands.
•Conducting investigations into alleged police unsatisfactory conduct that may have fallen below the RCIPS Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour.
•Reviewing officer conduct to uphold accountability and enforce disciplinary measures.
•Promoting transparency in policing practices and decision-making.
•Providing training and development opportunities to improve professional standards.
•Working with the Ombudsman to ensure fair and independent investigations.
Through these efforts, the PSU strives to build a more professional and accountable police service, ensuring a safer Cayman Islands.
Members of the public can file complaints against RCIPS police officers through the following channels:
1. At Any Local Police Station
Visit your nearest police station to submit a written complaint, on the prescribed Intake Form, in accordance with The Police (Complaints by the Public) Law, 2017.
2. Directly to the Professional Standards Unit (PSU)
In Person: Crown Square, Eastern Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman.
Email: RCIPSPSU@rcips.ky
Phone: +1 (345) 649-5304
3. Through the Office of the Ombudsman
Online: Complete the Police Complaint Form on the Ombudsman’s website.
In Person: Ombudsman’s office, 5th Floor, Anderson Square, George Town.
Email: info@ombudsman.ky
Phone: +1 (345) 946-6283
All complaints received at a police station or the PSU will be forwarded immediately to the Ombudsman for review and direction.
Upon receiving your complaint, the Ombudsman will:
•Acknowledge Receipt of your complaint.
•Assess Jurisdiction to determine if the complaint meets legal requirements.
•Work to resolve the complaint between both parties
•If unable to resolve informally, conduct an investigation by gathering statements and reviewing evidence and provide a report for independent review by the Ombudsman.
•Provide an Outcome, detailing findings of fact and any learning or recommendations made.
If an officer’s conduct constitutes criminal behaviour, the case is referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine if the evidence meets the threshold for criminal charges or if an internal disciplinary hearing is warranted.
The PSU’s team of trained detectives ensures that misconduct investigations are conducted professionally, fairly, and in accordance with the law. The PSU is responsible for maintaining accountability by investigating allegations, enforcing disciplinary measures, and reinforcing public trust in the integrity of the RCIPS.
Disciplinary matters are governed by the Police Act (2021 Revision) and the Police Regulations (1996), with oversight from the Commissioner of Police. In cases involving senior officers (Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or Assistant Commissioner), disciplinary proceedings fall under the authority of the Governor.
Under Section 99 of the Police Act, the Commissioner of Police has the authority to impose disciplinary actions.
For more information, contact the RCIPS Professional Standards Unit (PSU): Crown Square, Eastern Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman
Email: RCIPSPSU@rcips.ky
Phone: +1 (345) 649-5304
For independent investigations, please contact the Ombudsman directly.
RCIPS remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards in policing.
Police Regulations (1996 Revision)
Police Complaints by the Public Act (2017 Revision)
Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Wade Chase is the head of the Professional Standards Unit within the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). He is responsible for the strategic oversight and daily operations of the department, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and service within the organisation.
DCI Chase began his policing career with the Royal Barbados Police Service, serving for six years before joining the RCIPS in 2006. Throughout his career, he has worked in several key units, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Joint Intelligence Unit (JIU), and the Crime Task Force (formerly the Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force).
An experienced law enforcement professional, DCI Chase is a qualified Tactical Firearms Commander with the City of London Police and a Critical Incident Manager (CIM). He has held the role of Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) for several years, leading numerous reactive and proactive organised crime investigations.
Beyond operational policing, DCI Chase is committed to leadership development and professional training. He is an ILM City & Guilds Leadership and Management Associate Facilitator with the Cayman Islands Civil Service College. His academic credentials include an Associate Degree (Hons) in Public Administration from the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), along with ILM Level 3 and Level 5 certificates in Leadership and Management.
His specialised training extends to investigations, intelligence, and technical investigations. He is a Certified Technical Investigator (CTI) with the National Technical Institute (USA) and a graduate of the National Intelligence Agency (USA). Additionally, he is certified in Training and Facilitation and has completed multiple leadership and strategic command training courses. Most recently, he completed the Head of Professional Standards Course at the College of Policing (UK).
With extensive experience in policing, investigations, intelligence, and leadership, DCI Wade Chase remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service within the RCIPS.
Detective Inspector Ian Lavine is the deputy head of the Professional Standards Unit and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operational functions of the unit.
He joined the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service in 1998 and has worked within various areas across the service; including community policing, service delivery within all Districts and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). His experience as a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), along with his operational leadership as a Detective Inspector within the Financial Crime Investigation Unit and the Inspector (Officer in-Charge) of the Operational Support Unit/K9 Unit, has given him a greater understanding of organisational culture, internal processes, stakeholder & community engagement and team dynamics, whilst providing the opportunity for him to positively contribute to the strategic goals of the RCIPS. Such skills have proven to be invaluable in his work and leadership at the Professional Standards Unit and across the RCIPS.
Detective Inspector Lavine is a qualified mediator (civil/commercial), and a graduate of the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre (REDTRAC) and the International Compliance Association/The University of Manchester, UK. He also completed professional development courses in the areas of leadership for professional standards departments, strategic management, corporate governance, critical incident stress debriefing, diversity & human rights, and diplomacy.
RCIPS Welfare Chairman represents the Cayman Islands at the Caribbean Federation of Police Welfare Association and is named 1st Vise President for the organisation.
Police Week 2024 continues following the passing of Hurricane Rafael. The Opening Ceremony, which was postponed due to weather conditions, took place Wednesday afternoon, 6 November, and was followed by a series of international and local learning seminars throughout the day.
