JCF’S SENIOR HIGH-RANKING FEMALE OFFICERS INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION AT ALUMNI LEADHER LUNCHEON
The Alumni LeadHER Luncheon, held at the Office of the Commissioner of Police on Wednesday, March 4, transformed leadership into legacy.
Hosted in observance of International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, this intergenerational gathering created a space where experience met ambition and where guidance and empowerment came alive.
Through candid conversations—moderated by JCF Corporate Communications Director Nathelie Taylor—with the Constabulary’s four senior women leaders, Deputy Commissioner of Police Karina Powell-Hood and Assistant Commissioners Jacqueline Coombs, Charmine Shand, and Jacqueline Green-Scafe, the initiative measured impact not by rank, but by reach.
Their influence extended far beyond titles, touching the lives of young women from the very alma maters that once shaped their own ambitions—Morant Bay High School, St. Hugh’s High School, St. Mary High School, and Victor Dixon High School.
Elegant in setting and profound in purpose, the luncheon went beyond traditional presentations. The senior officers engaged the girls in candid, interactive discussions, offering insight into their roles, leadership philosophies, and the skills that propelled them to the highest levels of policing. From discipline and strategic thinking to resilience and decision-making under pressure, the women shared lessons forged through experience while openly addressing the challenges they overcame along the way.
In her remarks, head of the Force Development and Logistics Portfolio, Deputy Commissioner Powell-Hood, challenged the young women to “take up space.” She urged the emerging leaders—who were from third to sixth form and held various positions of authority at their institutions—not to simply exist in rooms, but to confidently and unapologetically own their presence. Emphasising authenticity, she encouraged them to remain true to themselves even as they navigate spaces where they may be underrepresented.
Assistant Commissioner Coombs, who commands the Quality Assurance Directorate at the JCF’s Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB), focused on the importance of managing one’s personal brand, including being mindful of one’s digital footprint. She reminded the students that what they post, share, or comment on online can shape opportunities and reputations, stressing that leadership extends into the virtual world just as much as the physical one.
Continuing the momentum, head of the Services Branch, Assistant Commissioner Green-Scafe, spoke about the importance of structure in the pursuit, attainment, and expansion of success in both personal and professional life. She reinforced the value of being relentless in the pursuit of goals while remaining open to relearning. She further highlighted that growth requires humility—the willingness to adapt, refine skills, and continuously evolve.
Assistant Commissioner Shand, who leads the Community Safety and Security Branch, underscored the importance of finding time—for purpose, for balance, and for people. She also spoke about kindness as a leadership strength, reminding the young women that compassion and professionalism are not mutually exclusive but are powerful when combined.
Throughout the afternoon, the students were given the opportunity to ask questions, hear real-life experiences, and receive direct mentorship from women who have navigated complex professional landscapes. Collectively, their messages formed a unified call to action: leadership is neither distant nor abstract. It is attainable for those willing to work diligently, persevere through obstacles, and embrace responsibility with courage.
In transforming leadership into legacy, the Alumni LeadHER Luncheon did more than inspire—it created a bridge between generations, ensuring that the next wave of female leaders understands that the path, though demanding, is well within reach.
