Young Jamaicans Encouraged to Take Advantage of Police Youth Clubs

Young Jamaicans are being encouraged to take advantage of the many benefits of being a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Police Youth Club and to join the movement in their communities or schools.

Speaking with JIS News at Thursday’s (March 26) Youth Opportunities Exposition at the Paul Bogle Vocational Training Institute in St. Thomas, Sergeant Williams of the Community and Security Safety Unit (CSSU) said that Police Youth Clubs are an excellent way to learn soft skills, time management and leadership.

Since 1954, the Police Youth Club has been one of JCF’s main crime-prevention and youth-empowerment programmes. It is designed to engage young people in positive, structured activities; build strong relationships between youth and the police and reduce involvement in crime and violence.

In addition to that, other benefits can be derived from one’s involvement with the organisation.

“The police youth club can help you as it relates to your résumé because what you’re doing now is [saying] that you’re part of an organisation that truly embodies community development,” Sergeant Williams said.

“You can say that you are exposed to the different trainings that the police offers you as a police youth club member. So, you will be in a particular Police Youth Club and you’ll be going into the communities to do different community outreach programmes,” he pointed out.

Sergeant Williams noted that the Police Youth Club has partnered with the HEART/NSTA Trust to certify members in various fields.

There is also an annual summer camp, which is usually fun-filled and engaging. This year, the camp will be executed in Hanover.

In terms of the age range of members, Sergeant Williams pointed out that, “as it stands now, the constitution for the Police Youth Club speaks to the ages of seven to 29. We also have what we call associate members; those are persons over the age of 29 because we are of the understanding that you have the knowledge, you are willing to work, and so we will never leave you out. We understand that with the knowledge you have, that is how we’ll advance as a unit, as a movement, and as a nation.,” the Sergeant said.