The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) received 27 Toyota Land Cruiser pickup trucks from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Tuesday, December 10.
The vehicles were officially presented in a ceremony hosted at the Offices of the Commissioner of Police. Deputy Commissioner of Police Karina Powell-Hood represented the police commissioner at the ceremony, which was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security. The Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Yasuhiro Atsumi, along with other senior JCF officials.
Speaking at the handover, Dr. Chang expressed gratitude for Japan’s continued support in enhancing the capacity of the JCF. He stated that the new vehicles represent a mobile police station and will play a vital role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of police officers. According to the minister, the new vehicles will facilitate rapid response times by the police during the busy Christmas season, when law enforcement efforts are greatly needed. “It provides the police with the appropriate framework to deal with the problem of crime in Jamaica,” said Chang.
Ambassador Atsumi, in his remarks, expressed Japan’s longstanding partnership with Jamaica, particularly in security and law enforcement, noting that the Land Cruisers will enhance the operational capabilities of the JCF. The 27 Toyota Land Cruiser pickup trucks will be dispatched to communities island-wide to support patrols and other police activities.
