National Security Ministry intensifying training this year

The Ministry of National Security is placing increased focus on training this year, with $100 million identified to start construction of classrooms and dormitories at the Police Academy in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.
Also, a sum of $127 million has been allocated to construct a Firearm and Tactical Training Unit. “Construction on the project, which will be jointly funded by the Governments of Jamaica and Britain, is expected to start later this year,” said Portfolio Minister Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson in his contribution to the 2009/10 State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday (January 22).
Meanwhile, the Ministry has intensified the training courses offered at the JCF Staff College, while the Jamaica Police Academy in Tranquillity Bay, St. Elizabeth, which was operationalised in 2009, has helped to boost the number of recruits.
“For 2009, the Tranquillity Bay and Twickenham Park training facilities passed out 556 regular constables, and 146 district constables. Another 241 recruits have been enlisted so far this year,” Senator Nelson informed.
In addition, in 2009, 643 personnel, including police, military, customs and immigration personnel from Jamaica and the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean, successfully completed a number of courses at the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre.
These included modules on combating criminal networks engaged in money laundering and drug and firearm trafficking.
“It is important to note that in addition to the traditional courses offered at our training facilities, law enforcement officers are also benefitting from seminars conducted by the University of the West Indies in collaboration with the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies. It is also satisfying to note that an increasing number of senior officers are being facilitated to pursue undergraduate and post-graduate studies,” Senator Nelson said.