New Alexandria Police Station opens

BY ALESIA EDWARDS Observer staff reporter aleseiae@jamaicaobserver.com

Saturday, February 25, 2012

ALEXANDRIA, St Ann — A new police station, which was built at a cost of $38.5 million to serve the community of Alexandria, was officially opened yesterday.

There was added joy with the donation of a brand new 2012 Nissan Frontier pickup, valued at $3 million, from the Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners (NJBP) for use by officers assigned to the station.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Commanding officer in charge of the St Ann police, Senior Superintendent Carlton Wilson described the occasion as a "special" one for the police.

"We are getting a new facility and we are getting the new police vehicle; it is something you don't see quite often," SSP Wilson remarked. "They usually come over time, so we are very special today in receiving two things at the same time."

He said the opening of the station and the new vehicle should help the Alexandria police serve the public in a more efficient way.

"What we are going to be getting will give us an opportunity, as police officers, to serve our public in a better way; and I want you as members of the public to think of it as our resource," SSP Wilson said as he urged residents to be vigilant in ensuring that the resources are properly cared for.

"The police are the custodian, but the resources are yours. And, what we are going to be asking the public is to ensure that they are properly taken care of, that they are properly utilised and that they serve you in every possible way that you would have wanted," he emphasised.

He said the facility, which boasts a spacious reception area, recreational space, kitchen/ dining, sleeping areas, and bathroom facilities, should also help to motivate and boost the morale of officers assigned to the station. The station has facilities which can house up to nine prisoners at a time.

The police were previously housed in a small run-down building a few metres from where the new facility has been built.

Yesterday, National Security Minister Bunting, who was on hand for the opening of the station, challenged senior officers to ensure that the new facility is properly maintained.

According to Bunting, a "proper and appropriate" facility for members of the police force is critical.

He, however, expressed disappointment at the rapid deterioration of some facilities, which he said were either built or renovated and handed over to the police but were not maintained.

"A part of the responsibility of the sub-officer in charge must be for the proper maintenance and management of the facility," Bunting said, noting that the proper care of police facilities should be reinforced in the Force Orders.

"We are in a situation of severe fiscal constraints and we can't afford to invest capital in a facility like this and don't take the maximum responsibility in caring and maintaining it," he said.

In the meantime, he lauded NJBP for its donation, pointing out that mobility multiplies the effectiveness of the police.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington urged police personnel who will use the vehicle and police station to ensure that there are cared for and not vandalised.

"I hope that the station will be cared for by the men and women, I hope that it will impact the quality of service that they deliver to the community. I hope that as we continue to improve on our professionalism, we will put you the citizens at the centre of what we do," the commissioner said.

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New Alexandria Police Station opens