NPSAJ giving back to the JCF
Published:Wednesday | November 6, 2024 | 12:05 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
The National Police Support Association of Jamaica (NPSAJ) is a United States-based organisation fiscally sponsored by Married 2 The Badge Nonprofit. NPSAJ is dedicated to supporting the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officers via mental health awareness and education, peer support, morale, recognition, and community service.
The NPSAJ is currently operated by a leadership team composed of law enforcement officers and spouses in Jamaica and the US. The leadership team plans, fundraises, and implements initiatives.
According to founder of the NPSAJ, Rachel Barrett-Dolcine, giving back to the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force is important because they believe it is critical to show support and appreciation for JCF officers and their significant others, as well as provide resources that help build resilience in JCF marriages, relationships and families and promote mental wellness.
“We want to be the bridge between work, home and community. It is time to humanise the badge. Behind every badge is a story, a family, a community ... a person.
“With the increase of stress in the law enforcement careers across the globe, we have to do our part to ensure officers are receiving the support they need to perform well at work and at home,” Dolcine said.
The NPSAJ, and Married 2 The Badge Nonprofit, have been working on a project called Adopt-A-Station, where the members of a police station in the United States assist in acquiring items for selected JCF barracks.
“On October 23 and 24, we handed over the items to commanding officers in Westmoreland, St Mary and Kingston. On October 24, we also hosted a Stress Management Workshop for 80 officers and/or their significant others from across the JCF network. We closed out the week of activities with A Mile In Their Shoes Walk and a Church Service of Recognition respectively,” Barrett-Dolcine said.
Kerry-Ann Burnett-Astree, NPSAJ chaplain, said they are intentional about the activities they choose because they want to be impactful in a way that benefits JCF officers and their families.
“It is important that the things we do will fill a need. By filling a need, we demonstrate that officers and their families are important, and they can rest assured that they have a group of people in their corner,” Burnett-Astree said.
The National Police Support Association has a strong partnership with the Lasco Chin Foundation. According to Burnett-Astree, they share similar vision and support, while the organisation provides guidance and sponsorship for their initiatives.
The organisations handed over bed and bathroom linens and towels, as well as toiletries. All the bed linens and pillows were purchased and shipped by law enforcement families and/or departments in the United States. All toiletry items were donated by Lasco Chin Foundation.
Dr Gary Buddoo-Fletcher, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Chaplaincy Services Branch of the JCF, said the NPSAJ has been making a significant impact on members of the JCF.
“They have not only been contributing to the welfare of our members, but have integrated themselves well, as part of the JCF family in providing needed resources so that the JCF members can carry out their work of serving, reassuring and protecting the citizens of Jamaica and those who come within these boundaries,” Dr Buddoo-Fletcher said.
“We are very grateful for their efforts and for their sacrifice, so that these resources can come to the needy persons who work and serve our nation,” he added.
Recently, Barrett-Dolcine and Burnett-Astree were presenters and sponsors at the Chaplaincy Division Couple’s Retreat and Chaplaincy Retreat held in September and early October respectively.