Anthony Harriott is a former Professor of Political Sociology and former Director of the Institute of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of the West Indies. He is the author of over thirty scholarly articles, some thirty technical reports, and author/editor of eight books - primarily on the issues of violence, organized crime and policing in Caribbean societies.

Professor Harriott is a member of a number of international professional organizations including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and has presented a number of scholarly papers at the meetings of these organizations. At the regional level, he has served as a member of the CARICOM Regional Task Force on Crime which was constituted by the CARICOM Heads of Government. He has also served as an advisor to the Minister of National Security and Justice (Government of Jamaica).