Whatsapp Number to Report Suspicious Activities of Trafficking in Persons

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has created a WhatsApp number – (876) 224-2629 – for persons who wish to easily report suspicious activities that may be considered to be trafficking in persons.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on July 29, Head of the Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit at the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch within the JCF, Detective Inspector Kimesha Gordon, said the number will provide persons with direct access to the right personnel.

“Once you send a text message to this number or call that number, you will engage with a member of the Anti-trafficking in Persons (A-TIP) Unit,” she said.

The Detective Inspector pointed out that the police officers in this unit are specially trained to combat the issue.

“Our primary focus is the investigation of trafficking in person activities. One of our mandates is to conduct sensitisation, which amounts to efforts to prevent trafficking in persons,” she said.

Detective Inspector Gordon is assuring the public that all reports made to the A-TIP Unit are treated confidentially.

“Once you report a matter to us, we take it very seriously. We are keen on confidentiality, and we are keen on professionalism… therefore, it’s essential that the identity of victims is secured,” she said.

“We have a very good track record where that is concerned. So, we would like for persons, if they think that they are victims or if they know somebody who might be a victim, to make contact with us,” Detective Inspector Gordon added.