KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — 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 ceremony to hand seven motorcars and 26 motorbikes to the police force, held on December 14 at the JCF’s Transport and Repair Division in Kingston.

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 hot spots.

The ministry will be procuring 40 dogs from Cuba that are trained in narcotic detection and search and rescue.