The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is expected to meet its established quota of 14,000 members this year, says Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang.
He told JIS News that with the ongoing recruitment drive, the Force should reach its full complement.
“We have been operating for many years below 12,000. This year, we will be at 14,000. We will then do a reassessment to see if, with the force multiplier, we are successful with 14,000 or if we have to add another 2,000,” Dr. Chang said.
“It is a matter of ongoing assessment where we look at what we’re doing in terms of the service we provide, the numbers required to provide those services, and the challenge in facing those tough communities where we need more police officers. Everything is kept under review,” the minister noted.
He said that Force recruitment is a priority for the government.
“To transform the JCF, we have had to provide additional numbers of police officers so they don’t have that stress with long work hours. We provided the tools to communicate effectively with each other along with the community. We have done a lot of work; it is paying off, but there is more to be done,” the minister said.
He noted that more persons are viewing policing as a career choice, which he credits to the transformation of the Force’s image.
“We have done much to change the negative image of the police. We have provided better working conditions and some improvement in compensation recently, but we have also set out with a programme that is very visible in terms of providing them with reliable equipment, patrol cars, etc. Their communication has improved significantly,” he pointed out.
In addition, he said, “We changed their uniforms, making it more relevant to convey an image of a highly skilled professional law enforcement team.”
“I think the police and youngsters on the right side of [the] law take pride in this kind of image and are willing to start by joining and learning the details of police work. Once we provide the right ecosystem, they stay,” Dr. Chang pointed out.
Source: JIS
