Major renovation efforts under way at Linstead Police Station

The Ministry of National Security has retained a contractor to renovate the Linstead Police Station in St Catherine to address long-standing infrastructure challenges at the facility. A release outlined that following a thorough procurement process, a contract worth $21 million has been awarded to carry out comprehensive renovation works. These upgrades, it states, are part of the ministry’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul, and Construct (ROC.) programme, which has successfully completed 150 projects to date.

The scope of work at the police station includes roof repairs, floor retiling, installation of new air-conditioning units, electrical upgrades, as well as the painting of ceilings and walls, following damage exacerbated by Hurricane Beryl.

The renovations are expected to commence on October 22, lasting three months to end in January 2025.

Under Project ROC, the ministry has consistently worked to provide members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force with work environments that support productivity, while fostering a welcoming atmosphere for citizens to engage with the police.

In the 2023-24 financial year, more than $506 million was invested in renovating police facilities across the island. So far in this financial year, 10 major projects have been completed, with another 12 projects in various stages of completion.

These include significant work at the National Police College of Jamaica, Rio Bueno Police Station, the new CISOCA Headquarters, Castleton Police Station, Ocho Rios Police lock-up, Constant Spring Police Station, Greater Portmore Police Station, the Traffic Ticket Processing Unit at Elletson Road Police Station, and the Major Investigation Division.

Additionally, waterproofing of the Black River CCTV Monitoring Centre’s roof is nearing completion, while extensive work continues at the Narcotics Division in Kingston, the release notes.

The upgrades at the Narcotics and Major Investigation divisions followed a 2023 visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang. During the visit, Chang committed to ensuring swift infrastructure improvements.

To date, approximately 68 per cent of the work has been completed, such as floor retiling, painting of internal walls, plumbing upgrades, air conditioning replacement, installation of new kitchen cupboards, replacement of doors, and installation of new bathroom amenities, to include toilets and face basins.

The $84-million renovation project has been met with approval from police officers, who will soon benefit from a modern, clean, and functional workspace.