More Vehicles and Bikes for the JCF

The mobility of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been further bolstered with the acquisition of an additional 120 vehicles and motorcycles, valued at over $186 million.

Comprising 47 Mitsubishi L200 pickups and 73 bikes, the units were formally handed over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, to Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, during a ceremony at the Commissioner’s office in Kingston, on Friday (June 18).

The pickups, which have been modified to make them fit for policing purposes, are slated to be deployed to boost the general JCF Divisional fleets islandwide, while the bikes will further expand the complement of units comprising the Quick Response Network.

Dr. Chang, in his remarks, noted that reliable mobility is fundamental to effective policing, pointing out that the 47 pickups have boosted the JCF’s operational fleet to 65 per cent.

He emphasised that “not only will these pickups strengthen police mobility capacity [but], importantly, they will contribute to a reduction in response time to calls for service”.

Dr. Chang also indicated that the pickups have been retrofitted with the JCF Smart-Check System, which provides officers on patrol with real-time access to critical databases, such as the Inland Revenue Department.

This, he pointed out, will enable them to access details on drivers and vehicles and act more decisively and quickly, where required.

These include identifying persons of interest, stolen motor vehicles, traffic ticket warrants, and outstanding traffic tickets.

“These new-look, more efficient, technologically outfitted police vehicles [will] increase the visibility of the police in the public thoroughfare, and [will] serve as a deterrent to those who would wish to carry out criminal activities,” Dr. Chang said.

“By their very appearance, these vehicles give reassurance to the general public, which improves the public’s confidence in the work of the police; that is the impact of strategic investment in police mobility,” Dr. Chang said.

For his part, General Anderson, in welcoming the provision of the units, thanked the Ministry “for investing, once again, in building for us a better and more capable police force”.

He said their deployment will serve to “support our citizens in the various parishes and areas across the country”.

“I know that my Divisional Commanders are anticipating getting these vehicles to support all of what they are doing for the country and for our people. All of this is about rolling out a robust, very aggressive process of modernisation,” the Commissioner added.