100 district constables to be trained

One hundred district constables are to commence training on January 1 to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as regular constables.

Minister of National Security Robert Montague made the disclosure at a handover ceremony held on December 14 at the JCF's Transport and Repair Division in Kingston, where seven motor cars and 26 motor bikes were given to the police force.

Montague said the move is part of a raft of measures being implemented by the ministry to strengthen the capacity of the force.

"The increased recruitment of men and women into the force (is important), because we are currently faced with a serious attrition rate. So far this year, over 400 men and women have left the force, and we are moving to increase the intake and the training," he said.

He indicated that the JCF will be conducting two recruitment exercises next year to boost its numbers.

Meanwhile, the minister informed that the mobile police stations will be deployed to crime hotspots, while the ministry will be procuring 40 dogs from Cuba that are trained in narcotic detection and search and rescue.