ST JAMES, Jamaica — National Security Minister Robert Montague has announced that the Government will be spending $45 million to repair 180 police stations across the island.

The minister, who was on Tuesday addressing the opening ceremony of the Jamaica Police Federation’s 74th Annual Joint Central Conferences, said, commencing in July, each station will receive $200,000.“A programme must be written by the station head, following a community meeting, and approved by the divisional head and endorsed by the Parish Consultative Committee, chaired by the custos or the Police Civic Committee,” the minister outlined.The minister said the distribution of funds will not stop there because the Government will also be providing an additional $50,000 to each station.“I am committing $50,000 to be allotted to each station to purchase something for that station. Whether it is a computer, whether it’s chairs, whether it’s television, whether it’s a desk, microwave, a refrigerator — whatever is needed,” he said.The national security minister also pointed out that he wants the funds to be spent in the community in which the station is located, as a means of building better relationships.Montague also announced a programme for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force that is aimed at recognising and rewarding them for their work. The programme includes a Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for members who excel across three key areas: serving, protecting and reassuring, and his endorsement of Police Week.Montague told the conference attendees that “the medals will be in gold, silver and bronze; one for each category. And the nominees must be selected by the (police) federation through the divisions, and vetted by a panel of retired police commissioners”.“Police Week too quiet ’bout the place. And within the Police Week, chairman (Sergeant Raymond Wilson), I intend to declare a day of mourning for our fallen police officers,” Montague said.The minister’s announcement came on the heels of Jamaica Police Federation chairman, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, calling for the Government to designate a day of mourning for policemen and women who die in the line of duty.“It is the least you can do for police officers — a day of mourning — minister,” Wilson had said at the conference earlier.The two-day conference was held at the Iberostar Hotels and Resorts in St James.— Anthony Lewis