Prime Minister Lauds JCF as Region’s Most Tactically Advanced
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has praised the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF’s) growing operational capabilities and regional leadership, declaring that the organisation now possesses “the most advanced tactical teams in this region” during a graduation ceremony at the National Police College of Jamaica.
“I speak without fear of contradiction that the JCF has the most advanced tactical teams in this region. There is no question about that,” Mr Holness said while addressing the graduation exercise for the 91st Staff and Junior Command Course on Friday, May 22.
The course, which was held under the theme “Leadership with Heart: Driving Positive Change”, brought together participants from Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands at the college.
The programme focused on leadership, change management and team building, with participants being trained in collaborative leadership, accountability and systems thinking. Organisers said the course was designed to prepare officers to lead with integrity and empathy within their respective organisations.
Representing Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake at the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police Richard Stewart said the Jamaica Constabulary Force remained focused on sustaining reductions in violence while strengthening its human resource capacity. “The JCF is on the path to excellence, and we know that the continued reduction in violence must become a habit,” DCP Stewart said. “We will therefore continue to focus on our people, ensuring that our human resource practices remain at the cutting edge, while maintaining focus and quality.”
Mr Holness also urged middle managers within the security forces to ensure that policy directives are translated into lawful and professional operational conduct. Referring to the recent fatal shooting incident in St James, the Prime Minister expressed condolences and stressed the importance of accountability within policing.
He also pointed to Jamaica’s expanding role in regional security cooperation, citing his recent engagement with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force contingent serving in Turks and Caicos. He said Jamaica had developed strategies, systems and operational practices that could assist other countries confronting organised crime and transnational security threats.
“I speak with great confidence that gone are the days when any organized criminal entity in this country could take on the JCF and win. There is no organized criminal entity in Jamaica, or indeed anywhere else in this region, that could take on the JCF and win,” Prime Minister Holness said.
The Prime Minister said the Jamaica Constabulary Force was now operating at its strongest point in more than 150 years of existence, noting that the organisation had reached its full establishment of 14,000 officers for the first time in its history. “That means there are more police officers available to serve the Jamaican people today,” he said. “It means more presence, greater response capacity, increased visibility, and more opportunities to prevent crime before it occurs.”
