Role and Function of Municipal Police Being Reviewed

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says the role and function of the municipal police are being reviewed.

Municipal police officers support the activities of the local authorities by enforcing municipal laws and regulations and maintaining public order, among other activities.

“The role of the municipal police is to help maintain order within the space – to enforce that vending is not done outside of the no-vending areas. I must admit that there have been challenges with some municipal police, and that programme is under review in a way to give them more authority for them to act and to act in a way that is conducive with good order,” Mr. McKenzie advised.

He was speaking on ‘Good Morning, Minister’, aired on Love 101 FM, on Wednesday (October 4).

“They do play a critical role. But a lot of times the role of the municipal police is undermined because of their actions and a lot of people don’t have regard for them, so it’s a challenge,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie said the Ministry has been instrumental in building and repairing some of Jamaica’s 35 markets, 11 of which are in downtown Kingston.

He said approximately $20 million is being spent to repair the Buff Bay Market in Portland while work will commence soon on Musgrave Market, also located in the parish.

The Musgrave Market was ravaged by fire in May, affecting some 200 vendors, while the Buff Bay Market has been in a state of disrepair for an extended period.

“We’re not looking at building anymore now; what we’re looking at is to repair these markets. But we’re doing a survey now to find out the viability of markets – whether or not markets are viable in the way that markets used to be,” Mr. McKenzie stated.