Security Forces will not Allow Criminals to Take Control – Montague

Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, is assuring the nation that the security forces will not allow criminal elements to take control of the society.

He was addressing the handover of 3,500 less-lethal weapon kits to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Wednesday (September 21), at the National Police College in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.

The kits were sponsored by the United States (US) Government.

Minister Montague said the nature of crime requires that the police be equipped with lethal and non-lethal weapons, in addition to community support.

“One of our greatest assets is the thousands of law-abiding Jamaicans, who desperately want a more prosperous Jamaica,” he pointed out.

Under the Less Lethal Programme, the JCF will receive 7,000 pieces of equipment including batons, handcuffs, utility belts and pepper sprays.

Minister Montague noted that the provision of equipment will better equip the police to carry out their roles as peace officers.

“We value this partnership from the (US Government) and the support we continue to receive from our international and local partners in our effort to build a safer Jamaica,” he said.

US Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Luis Moreno, commended the JCF on the strides made to resolve conflicts with minimum use of force, noting that this will help to strengthen the trust between the police and citizens.

For his part, Commissioner of Police, Dr. Carl Williams, said the use of the non-lethal weapon kits will become standard in the JCF.

The use of such weapons can be a “game changer”, he said, because it will provide frontline police officers with an option to the use of deadly force.