Macmillan Cites JCF Capacity Enhancement Through Academy Upgrading

Minister of National Security Senator, Senator Trevor MacMillan, has said that the proposed $400-million dollar upgrade of the Police Academy, will go a far way in rebuilding the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and empowering officers with the knowledge, skills, and competencies, to effectively execute their duties.
“The $400 million dollar refurbishing exercise, that is about to be conducted at the Police Academy in Twickenham Park (St. Catherine), will commence in the latter part of the financial year and extend into the following year. This will allow us to improve command training to the Inspection Branch,” the Minister explained, adding that ongoing curricular review will also be in effect.
“Hand in hand, with the expansion of facilities, is the ongoing curricular review. The main focus of lectures at the Academy, is to lay down the foundation for competency based training,” he said.
The Minister, who was speaking at the Inspection Branch Board Seminar, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, on September 18, held under the theme, “Raising the Bar II: Inspectors as Change Agents in Reforming the Police Service”, said the Inspectors have the capacity to effect change in the police force.
“Indeed, you can be the change agency in the police service. You are best poised to be the catalyst for changes in the vision, which will result in the modernisation of the JCF,” he said, pointing out that “I have every confidence that you are poised with the capacity to usher in the new era of policing in Jamaica, which will effectively transform the Force”.
The Minister stated that although his budgetary allocation of $150 million dollars for refurbishing is not enough, it represents a 50 per cent increase over the last budget.
Senator MacMillan said that soon, all the integral resources necessary to produce what he describes as a “big win” for the JCF and Jamaicans, will come together.
“The Inspection Branch is the base of that winning trophy, and as your Minister, I am depending on you to be at the forefront of our efforts to re-energise the JCF.”
Among the other initiatives which the Government is working on, to improve the organisational structures of the JCF, is a project to civilianise non-core functions within the police force. There is also a recommendation to merge the Police Service Commission and Police Civilian Oversight Committee.
Also included in the Government’s activities, is the 60 per cent completion of the new $70-million station in St. Thomas, and major refurbishing work taking place, on at least ten police stations, some of which have been officially opened.