Lacovia Police Station Officially Opened

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, on Wednesday (February 26), officially opened the $175-million newly built state-of-the-art Lacovia Police Station in St. Elizabeth.

The modern two-storey facility spans 5,223 square feet and was constructed under the Ministry of National Security’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul, and Construct (ROC) initiative, which aims to reconstruct, renovate, and retrofit police stations across Jamaica.

The National Housing Trust (NHT) provided funding for the complex that now provides enhanced facilities for law-enforcement officers and the community.

The scope of the project involved replacing an outdated structure with a fully functional police station with living quarters for officers, as well as a holding facility.

Additionally, a new sewage disposal system was installed, along with a paved driveway, a permeable parking lot, and boundary walls. The station has also been equipped with a kitchen and laundry appliances.

The facility also includes a solar power generation system, rainwater harvesting capabilities, storage tanks, pumps, and filtration systems to promote efficiency.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Dr. Chang said police officers deserve appropriate workspaces that match their level of professionalism and commitment.

He further stated that the Government is committed to providing the resources needed to effectively combat crime and maintain public order.

Dr. Chang credited the police’s leadership for the significant reduction in the crime rate in St. Elizabeth and neighbouring parishes, while noting that strategic policing efforts and government-provided resources are yielding positive results.

“The police have not only gotten better police stations, better cars, better communication, and more manpower, but it has some very bright Jamaicans and developed some excellent [crime fighting] programmes. So, they have good intelligence, good operations,” Dr. Chang stated.

“It is a pleasure to hand over this station to the police in Lacovia and St. Elizabeth, by extension. All taxpayers could take some comfort in that the officers, given the resources, are working well and are seeking to bring a better quality of life and public order in Jamaica,” he added.

For his part, Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake, described the opening as the beginning of a new era in transforming policing in Jamaica.

He indicated that modern policing facilities are essential in delivering high-quality services and strengthening the connection between the police and the communities they serve.

The Commissioner stated that every newly established station is purpose-built with the unique needs of the community in mind, to ensure efficiency, security, and accessibility.

“Across the entire parish, major crimes have fallen by 14 per cent and with the opening of this new police station, the JCF is now even better equipped to build on these hard-earned gains and continue to advance our mission of keeping the people of Jamaica safe,” Dr. Blake pointed out.

“We know that crime is a dynamic, ever-evolving threat, and we must remain vigilant and unyielding in our efforts to protect our communities. I say this without hesitation – we will not surrender our homes, our businesses or our communities to criminals,” he added.

In the meantime, Martin Miller, Managing Director of the National Housing Trust, reaffirmed the entity’s commitment to supporting security infrastructure under the programme.

Mr. Miller said, to date, five of the 11 identified stations have been completed, with six others in various stages of planning and construction.

“Of note, the Specialised Operations Branch, formerly Mobile Reserve Division, has also undergone complete refurbishing,” he informed.

Mr. Miller stated that the Lacovia Police Station was designed to serve as a hub for both police operations and community engagement to address concerns and build safer neighbourhoods.