CORPORAL ROXANNE BROWN-WITTER’S TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON COMMUNITY AND THE JCF
Corporal Roxanne Brown-Witter’s dedication to nurturing children and fostering community well-being, exemplified by her “Once a Man, Twice a Child Foundation,” represents a profound and impactful initiative. Her personal commitment, having successfully raised nine children (two biological and seven adopted), underscores a deep-seated passion for youth development that extends far beyond her official duties as a police officer. The foundation, officially launched on October 17, 2014, and subsequently registered; serves as a formal vehicle for her expansive philanthropic efforts demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing societal needs.
Brown-Witter, a six-year veteran in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), having enlisted in the force on October 20, 2018, is not just a philanthropist but is a trained secondary educator, a certified paralegal and an event planner who is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Leadership and Ministry as well as an Associate Degree in Human Resource Management. An extremely educated individual, Witter expressed that she joined the JCF with the mindset to make and be the change. “I joined JCF to make a change. I remember watching television one night and heard a policeman speak. I never liked how he sounded, and so as a trained English language educator, I knew I had to make the change,” she lamented.
Corporal Witter, who is the assistant Divisional Training Officer (DTSO) at the Portmore Police Station, more popularly known as 100 Man, is certainly living her dream of being a change as she interacts daily with members of the JCF who are fresh from the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ). “I have a passion for children and adults alike, and with my skill set I am happy to help in shaping the minds of young policemen and women. As the force transforms, so must the men and women of the organisation.”
Meanwhile, the recent back-to-school treat held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Longville Park Police Station is a testament to Witter’s unwavering commitment to ‘community’. The treat hosted members of the Police Youth Clubs of Longville Park, May Pen and Hayes. This initiative highlights the practical application of her foundation’s mission and is not just a distribution of supplies but a holistic community engagement, evidenced by the partnership with Dr Suneil Morgan, who provided free medicals, and nurse Roshay Burrell-Williams, who conducted vital checks. This collaborative effort showcases a comprehensive approach to child welfare, recognising that education and health are inextricably linked.
Corporal Brown-Witter’s work is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it directly addresses the critical need for youth mentorship and support in vulnerable communities. By engaging children through police youth clubs and providing essential services like medical check-ups; she is building trust and positive relationships between law enforcement and the younger generation. This proactive engagement can significantly deter youth from engaging in criminal activities by offering them alternative pathways and a sense of belonging. The “Once a Man, Twice a Child Foundation” acts as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that the police are not just enforcers of the law but also compassionate community partners.
This initiative profoundly impacts the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as “A Force for Good”. In many communities, there can be a perception of the police as solely punitive. Corporal Brown-Witter’s actions actively redefine the role of a police officer, showcasing the JCF’s commitment to community development and social responsibility. Her work fosters a more humanised image of the police, promoting goodwill and cooperation between citizens and law enforcement. This positive perception is vital for effective policing, as community trust is a cornerstone of crime prevention and resolution. The success of the back-to-school treat, with its integrated health services, exemplifies how the JCF, through the dedication of its members, can become a central hub for community support and upliftment. This model of community-orientated policing, championed by Corporal Brown-Witter, can serve as an inspiration and a blueprint for other officers and divisions within the JCF, ultimately strengthening the force’s overall effectiveness and public standing.
