KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Senior officers of the security forces are upbeat about the outcome of training now underway for members of the Joint Task Force who will be engaged in the Government’s Special Zones of Operations (ZoSo) crime fighting initiative.

Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Legal Officer, Captain Michael Deans, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Errol Thompson, who is attached to the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) have given the engagement, in which they are involved as trainers/facilitators, the “thumbs-up” based on the participants’ feedback in relation to facilitating the creation of safe environments that will enable social interventions.

The five-day exercise, which commenced on July 18 at the JDF Directorate of Training and Doctrine at Up Park Camp, Kingston, is targeting human rights and social development training for JDF and JCF members.

This is in keeping with the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, 2017, which gives the security forces certain essential powers required to address serious crimes, while upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

The legislation, which was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate, will also facilitate the implementation of key social interventions in communities adversely affected by crime and violence.

Speaking at the JDF Directorate on Friday, Deans explained that the ZoSo training programme entailed the legislation’s interpretation to participants, and presentations and sensitization sessions on human rights, particularly in relation to international Conventions and the Local Charter governing how these should be respected.

Deans said particular focus was placed on sensitizing them on the rights of children within the areas that zones would encompass.

Deans said the presentations were complemented by contributions from organizations such as Jamaicans for Justice, which also conducted training sessions.

Additionally, he said the week’s activities also included a panel discussion involving Public Defender, Arlene Harrison Henry, and Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) Commissioner, Terrence Williams, who were invited to address the participants.

Deans noted that the members also participated in simulation training exercises with scenarios depicting likely interactions with civilians during the course of operations and how to treat with these.

“They do understand what it is that they are going on to create a safe place for the social intervention personnel to come, and build up those communities (that have been adversely affected by crime and violence),” he added.

Thompson said his presentations focused on the interaction between the JCF members and the public.

This, he said, covered areas such as searches and seizures, as also interactions with children, while noting the effectiveness of the practical exercises that complemented the theoretical discourses.

He also highlighted the work of Social Development Commission representatives who conducted sessions on community development.

Thompson said based on the participants’ feedback, “they have demonstrated that they are willing to go into these zones and prepare (them) for the social interventions.”

He argued that the Zones of Special Operations initiative represents a “golden opportunity for the JDF and the JCF to show Jamaica that we care and that we are (committed) to protecting the rights of citizens.”

The training concluded yesterday.