CSSB Calls for Greater Partnership Between Community Members and JCF

The Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is calling for greater partnership between community members and the police, to rebuild communities that have been plagued by crime and violence.

The CSSB, through its proximity policing thrust, has at its heart a strategy to control, hold and build communities.

Speaking on January 27 at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, Sergeant of Police at the CSSB, Diane Bartley, said they have taken control and maintained [hold] communities, and partnerships are now needed for the building component of this strategy to take effect.

“The build aspect of the strategy is where community members come together and act to solve their internal issues through the establishment of a governance system. It is also easier for external groups… [Government or non-government] to negotiate with such a structure in place,” Sergeant Bartley said.

Gravel Heights and Tredegar Park in St. Catherine as well as Alma in Westmoreland were highlighted as communities that the hold, control and build strategy has resulted in significant reduction in criminal activities.

“There is a Benevolent Society in Tredegar Park, which allows the community members to identify their issues and work together to restore their environment. In essence, the community has all the answers and the police facilitate the process, so we need the community to bring back normalcy. We are not the owners of these products… [benevolent societies], but we encourage the process,” Sergeant Bartley said.

She noted that the CSSB’s successes over the years can be attributed to the efficient management of their human resource capacity, the accountability framework in place and assistance from some community members.

“One of our expected outcomes is an increase in community confidence in the police. We are making progress in that regard and once again we are extending a hand of partnership to all Jamaicans,” she said.