ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of National Security Robert Montague said Jamaica will be purchasing 40 dogs from the Cuban Government to be used primarily for the detection of guns and drugs, in addition to search and rescue.

He said the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be sending 40 trainers to Cuba to work with the dogs.

The national security minister, who was speaking to JCF and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel at a function at the Half Moon Hotel in Rose Hall, St James recently, said the Government is firmly focused on ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

“That is the number-one priority,” he said, while urging “decent people” to “stand up for what is right”.

He noted further that 450 policemen and women have been trained in conflict resolution to better enable them to respond to domestic-violence situations. Statistics indicate that about 37 per cent of murders are domestically based.

He said special attention will be given to western parishes, which recorded the highest number of murders last year.

An infantry and coast-guard base will be established in Freeport, Montego Bay, and at the old Braham Wharf in Savanna-la-Mar.

 “We will be basing the newest battalion of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in western Jamaica… a 1,000-man-strong battalion,” Montague said.

“We are beefing up resources in the west and we expect to see the results. I am saying to the police, you now have the support and resources where they can redouble their efforts and show the criminals that no effort will be spared in bringing them to justice,” he noted further.