31 Municipal Police to Join Six Local Authorities
By: , April 18, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Dave Reid
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (seated 4th left), shares a moment with 31 newly trained Municipal Police Officers, who will be deployed to six local government authorities across the island. Occasion was the graduation ceremony held on Friday (April 15), at the National Police College in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. Also pictured are: Training Director at the police college, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Norman Heywood (3rd left); Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Denzil Thorpe(3rd right); and other officials of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the Ministry.The Facts
- Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his address at the graduation ceremony held on Friday (April 15) at the police college, urged the graduates to carry out their duties professionally and without fear or favour.
- The local authorities are responsible for the administration, enforcement and compliance of civic and municipal laws, and regulations.
The Full Story
Thirty-one new municipal police officers are be deployed to six local government authorities across the island.
The municipal officers, who recently completed a six-week training course at the National Police College in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, have been assigned to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), and the St. Catherine, Portland, St. Mary, Manchester, and St. James parish councils.
They will support the activities of the local authorities, by enforcing municipal laws and regulations, maintaining public order, among other things.
Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in his address at the graduation ceremony held on Friday (April 15) at the police college, urged the graduates to carry out their duties professionally and without fear or favour.
“You must be seen as exercising your responsibilities in a fair and impartial manner,” he said.
He said that by doing the right thing, they could lose friends, but noted that the country will be better off by their actions.
“The kind of discipline that is going to get persons to respect you and respect the uniform that you wear may come with a price,” Minister McKenzie told the graduates.
The local authorities are responsible for the administration, enforcement and compliance of civic and municipal laws, and regulations.
Effective adherence to those laws is essential in maintaining good public order, facilitating orderly development, preventing public nuisance, and enabling citizens to enjoy their civic rights and privileges in relative peace and safety.