Jamaican security attaché makes history as first graduate of Inter-American Defense College

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tanisha Ellison, Jamaica's security attaché at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., has made history as the first Jamaican to graduate from the prestigious Inter-American Defense College (IADC), joining 63 senior officials from across the Americas at a graduation ceremony held at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) on June 12.

SSP Ellison successfully completed the year-long master's program in Inter-American Defense and Security, an advanced professional course designed to prepare diplomats, senior military officers and high-ranking police officials for strategic leadership and advisory roles throughout the Western Hemisphere. The multilingual and multicultural program, hosted by the United States at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., provides training in strategic planning and leadership, civil-military relations, international affairs, multidimensional security, peace operations, disaster response and crisis management.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds of guests and well-wishers, including OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin and President of Barbados Lt. Col. Jeffrey Davidson Bostic, who delivered the commencement address.

President Bostic challenged the graduates to become leaders capable of navigating uncertainty while strengthening regional partnerships.

"Your job is no longer focused on defending territory alone," he said. "It is to defend clarity, defend facts and defend the ability of your citizens to distinguish between threat and noise, between adversary and ally."

President Bostic emphasized that the most valuable asset graduates gained during their studies was not their qualification, but the professional relationships and trust forged among classmates from across the region.

"When the next crisis hits — and it will — you will not be reading a policy paper," he said. "You will be making a call to someone who sat a few seats away from you in the seminar room."

He urged graduates to maintain those connections and continue sharing information and expertise upon returning to their respective countries. The president also paid tribute to the families of the graduates, noting that their sacrifices and support were integral to the success of the program.

Reflecting on the achievement, SSP Ellison described the program as a transformative experience that broadened her understanding of the complex security challenges facing the region.

"The program has deepened my understanding of the multidimensional security challenges and mechanisms for better cooperation as we navigate the complex, interconnected issues shaping our hemisphere," she said.

"The engagements with military officers, diplomats and other security professionals across the Americas provided invaluable perspectives that will strengthen my ability to continue contributing to Jamaica's security, development and international engagement. The professional bonds built were very useful during the course and will continue to strengthen cooperation long after today's graduation."

Ellison completed the program with distinction and credited her success to the support of her family, colleagues and Jamaica's former ambassador to the United States and current minister with responsibility for efficiency, innovation and digital transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister, Audrey Marks, who recommended her for the program.

"This achievement was truly a family effort," she said. "Pursuing a full-time, in-person academic program while maintaining my responsibilities as security attaché required significant adjustments. I am deeply grateful to my family and to the team at the Embassy of Jamaica for their unwavering support.

"I am especially thankful to Minister Marks for ensuring Jamaica's historic participation in this program, and I intend to pay that opportunity forward."

Speaking on Jamaica's participation, Minister Marks underscored the importance of investing in leadership development and ensuring that Jamaica is represented in key regional and international institutions.

"I have always believed that Jamaica must have a seat at every table where opportunities exist, particularly those that build capacity for the future," Marks said. "Recommending SSP Ellison for this program was an easy decision. She has consistently distinguished herself through professionalism, leadership and service, and I knew this opportunity would further strengthen her ability to contribute to Jamaica's development and to the next generation of transformational leaders."

Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of Jamaica, Lishann Salmon, who attended the graduation ceremony, hailed SSP Ellison's accomplishment as a proud moment for Jamaica.

"Tanisha exemplifies excellence, professionalism and an unwavering pursuit of improvement," Salmon said. "Beyond her security portfolio, she actively contributes to initiatives that strengthen Jamaica's diplomatic engagement, support the Jamaican diaspora and drive institutional innovation within the embassy. Her commitment to service reflects the very best of Jamaica."

Since March 2024, SSP Ellison has served as Jamaica's security attaché in Washington, where she advances Jamaica's national security interests through strategic diplomacy, bilateral cooperation and multilateral engagement. In that role, she serves as Jamaica's principal liaison with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. law enforcement agencies, while coordinating with Jamaican ministries, departments and agencies on security matters.

She also serves as Jamaica's delegate to the Inter-American Defense Board and as an alternate representative to the OAS. Previously, she served as vice chair of the CARICOM Security Working Group of the Committee on Hemispheric Security of the OAS Permanent Council.

Commenting on the program, Jamaica's 14th ambassador to the United States and current head of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Antony Anderson, said the program is highly beneficial to the region because it provides a unique opportunity for military and police leaders to learn from one another.

"Developing shared understanding is essential to Jamaica's national security and international security cooperation," he said. "The leadership of the college has spoken highly of Jamaica's historic participation and is eager to see more Jamaicans benefit from this experience. The relationships built and strategic perspectives gained through SSP Ellison's participation will undoubtedly strengthen Jamaica's leadership capacity for years to come."

Founded in 1962, the Inter-American Defense College has graduated more than 3,000 military, police and civilian leaders from 27 nations. Its distinguished alumni include heads of state, defense ministers, ambassadors and other senior government officials from across the Americas.

The 65th graduating cohort included participants from Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain and the United States.