Ground to Be Broken in July for Two Major JCF Facilities

Ground will be broken for the construction of the new St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters, and the Specialised Operations West facility, in St. James, next month (July).

Making the disclosure at the passing out of 294 new police recruits at the National Police College of Jamaica, at Twickenham Park in St. Catherine, on June 25, Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the two projects are part of three major construction projects, representing a combined investment of more than $15 billion.

The third is the Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters, for which ground was broken in March.

Dr. Chang added that five stations are currently far advanced in the reconstruction process, and another five stations are undergoing the public investment appraisal process for construction to begin shortly.

“These efforts are part of our mission to provide our police officers with facilities that reflect modern security requirements and design features. Almost all of our police facilities have undergone some level of repair or renovation work, to ensure they are functional for both police officers and the citizens who interact with them,” the Minister said.

Noting that the level of investment in the physical infrastructure of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is unprecedented, the Minister said that over the past six years, the Government has sought to address legacy issues within the JCF, and has implemented reforms, invested in training, fostered a culture of integrity and transparency, and embarked on the digital transformation of the organisation.

He told the new recruits that they are now part of a proud tradition of joining the ranks of the JCF, and they are doing so at a “rather exciting time”, when the Force is almost at “full establishment strength and the transformation that is very visible for all to see.”

“You are joining the Police Force at a time when our response time has improved, efficiency gains have been realised, our investigative capacity has been enhanced, and our efforts in gang interruption and interdiction have been increasingly effective,” the Minister said.

Dr. Chang also noted that the new Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake, is carrying on the transformation of the Force, and he is sure that the graduates can all identify with the Commissioner, whose journey exemplifies a true Jamaican success story.

He said that Dr. Blake’s elevation to Commissioner, as a career police officer, can “serve as an inspiration to all of you… that any young, capable police officer, through hard work and dedication, can aspire to reach the highest level within the JCF”.