ACP Howard Chambers: A leader forged by passion, purpose, perseverance

Whatever the philosophy employed, real leadership requires clear communication, integrity, empathy, accountability and the ability to champion the cause of those not in a position of power. Flexibility and wisdom are among their handy tools as they have to listened twice as much as they speak to let those they lead buy into the shared vision and mandate of the assigned task. And when the job gets done, a true leader will not bask in all the accolades but readily praise those who toiled right alongside them and made the workload easier to manage. These are the qualities of a good leader and by all accounts, these qualities are manifested in Howard Chambers, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who never asks his team to undertake an assignment that he himself will not readily do.

From the humble farming community of Bartons in St. Catherine north of Old Harbour town, to the helm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Specialized Operations branch, Chambers’ journey is a story of resilience, faith, and an unyielding commitment to service. With nearly 19 years in the force, he has become a symbol of transformative leadership, proving that true greatness lies not in titles, but in the ability to inspire, uplift, and lead by example. 

“I always wanted to join but my mother told me to get a tertiary education first so that’s what I did. When I left university I couldn’t get any jobs in my field but eventually, I got a job in chemical technology at the bauxite company. Later I applied for the graduate entry programme of the JCF,” said the former Old Harbour High teacher in an exclusive interview following his recent promotion to the rank of ACP. 

Chambers’ path to policing was not linear but a journey shaped by perseverance and a deep sense of purpose. He felt a pull toward something greater. Hence his decision to join the JCF, through its accelerated programme, was seen as an opportunity to serve a higher calling. But the process, Chambers recalled, was a lengthy one with several interviews and call backs, as well as psychometric testing of all applicants.  

Out of 400 applicants, only 16 made the cut. Chambers was among them, embarking on a career that would see him rise through the ranks, driven by a philosophy of servant-leadership.

“I believe the programme gave me a competitive edge in understanding the management side of policing,” he said. 

Today, as the commanding officer of nearly 700 officers, Chambers oversees one of the JCF’s most critical branches. His role is not just about managing resources but about fostering collaboration, building partnerships, and tackling crime with a strategic mind and a compassionate heart. 

The Heart of a Servant-Leader

His unwavering belief in the power of inclusion and empowerment sets him apart. This approach has taken him to some of Jamaica’s most volatile areas, from the tense streets of St. Catherine North to the rugged inner-city communities of Western Kingston. In each division, he has left an indelible mark, not just through his operational expertise but through his ability to connect with people and inspire change. His ability to see the bigger picture, connect on a human level and solve complex policing matters akin to a matrix, has made him an asset to the constabulary. 

His academic achievements are many and further underscore his commitment to excellence. With a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, and a PhD in Education (with an emphasis on leadership) in progress, Chambers is a lifelong learner.

During this interview it is obvious that Chambers enjoys his job as a crime fighter, his calm and relax demeanor suggesting he has a clear picture of what’s to be done to make Jamaica a safer society. 

“I think it is hard to choose one thing,” he said when quizzed about what’s fascinates him the most about being a member of the JCF. “But I think one of the best things for me is that it is a grounded and diverse organization that is perfect for ambitious young people; so the sky is the limit.”

“There are so many avenues and areas you can enter and specialize in as a young person that you can pretty much channel your passion,” he continued. “Therefore, you can be in the force and still be whatever you want to be. I think that it is a solid framework full of opportunities. Also, I like the whole idea of serving people; I believe it is a calling. If you genuinely love people, you will be privileged to serve them. That desire to serve is a key component of love and anything that you love, you will do well at.”

Faith, Family, and the Fight against Crime 

For Chambers, leadership is deeply rooted in his faith and family. A devout Seventh-Day Adventist, he credits his success to divine guidance and the principles of respect, loyalty, and humility instilled in him by his parents. 

Married for over 20 years to educator Hilma Hyatt-Chambers, he is a devoted husband and father to two children. Together they have produced a 23-year-old son who recently completed his first degree and a teenage daughter, who attends a prominent high school. His downtime is spent cooking unique dishes, he noted, watching football, and reconnecting with his roots in Bartons, where his father, who is over 70 years old, still tends to his farm. 

“I grew up in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church where my mother sang on the church choir. I believe wholeheartedly in the principles that I was raised on which include respect, loyalty and humility. I strongly believe that God has led my life and is to be honoured and praised for all my successes, and if I trust and believe in Him, He will continue to positively direct my path. These are the words of Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 that I have made a part of my life,” the ACP stated.

To those who believe that being a Christian and being an officer of the law are diametrically opposed, Chambers does not agree. “I think they are the same cause. Just imagine if more people come to Christ, then the results would be less crime. So Christians and law enforcement officers are pretty much working on the same team, all in one accord. It is a very harmonious relationship in my opinion as we have the same objectives,” he reasoned. 

A Vision for a Safer Jamaica 

Jamaica’s reputation as one of the world’s most murderous nations per capita is a heavy burden and a major blot on her rich legacy of being one of the most potent cultures on Earth. But Chambers sees it as a challenge to be met with resolve and innovation. His vision for Jamaica is one where crime no longer overshadows the island’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. He contends, however, that such a label must be viewed through the prism of how a leader has to balance limited resources – both human and otherwise – to effectively fight crime on an island of close to three million inhabitants. 

“It requires partnerships and collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders and thankfully I have the knowledge and years of experience,” he said. “I don’t know that I have mastered it yet but I am competent and can speak from an informed platform.”

It then begs the question in terms of accomplishing his mandate, what is it that he brings to the table which makes him an effective leader? 

“I believe my style of leadership is participatory and inclusive, positively impacting those around me. It is the practice of servant-leadership where you make those around you comfortable by looking after their overall well-being which will propel them towards higher performance,” said ACP Chambers who attained qualifications in many specialized areas such as ballistic, armed conflict and project management among others.  

“I come from a family of persons who value education. My big brother, my mother and my wife are always pushing education. When I was younger my parents did not have the money initially to send me because my sister was already in college so I decided to sit it out but my mother said ‘No, you are going’. I don’t know where she found the money but she insisted that I was not going to forgo getting an education. My whole family takes it very seriously.  My brother just completed his PhD about a year ago and my sister is the principal at the Spring Village All Age School. I myself taught at Old Harbour High for several years. Knowledge is limitless so we should never shortchange ourselves,” he proudly stated. 

Learning he said came naturally for him. 

“I skipped grade five, went straight to grade six and did the Common Entrance examination at age 10. Because I was born in October, I had three chances so the teacher wasn’t too worried about me and was concentrating on those who had just one chance at the exams. When the results came out in the newspaper my father came home and showed my mother that I had passed. She was so excited that she went to the school to thank the teacher who then confessed that she really hadn’t been focused on preparing me but was thrilled nonetheless. So I started high school at 10 and graduated at 15,” he revealed.

When asked if he could change one thing about Jamaica, he quickly answered that getting people to recognise that crime should never tarnish our beautiful island is foremost on his list of needed changes. 

“Can you imagine a Jamaica with minimum crime and violence?” he quipped. “I have travelled to many countries and none of them holds a candle to this blessed country.  Everybody loves this island and the average Jamaicans does not realise how fortunate we are with such a beautiful landscape, terrain and abundance of natural resources. We have a culture that is bigger than us so if I could change anything I would treat crime and violence so that it is not the huge and burning issue that it is presently.”

And what bit of advice would you share with your younger self that could possibly have changed the direction of your life? I asked. “Keep believing in your abilities and do not limit yourself,” he said. “Irrespective of where you come from, labels, economic or social background etc., never limit yourself. Do not be a victim of your surroundings or circumstances. It is something I wish I had subscribed to when I was younger and so I make sure that I instill it wholeheartedly into my children. Those two are so confident and self-assured that no one can derail them from their purpose in life and for that I am well pleased.”