MORE than 300 new members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been deployed across the island to assist with enhancing the safety of citizens throughout the Christmas season.

This was disclosed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Fitz Bailey who said the new recruits who graduated from training school this month have been placed at various police divisions islandwide.

“As usual, [each] year when it comes to this time there is a significant increase in deployment on the streets…citizens can be guaranteed that this year will be no less,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

This police strategy, he said, will deal with the significant increase in pedestrians, vehicular traffic, as well as the escalation in shopping activities that will take place during the festive season.

ACP Bailey, who heads the JCF’s Safety and Security portfolio, said the increase in police personnel will include administrative persons, persons who work around desks, Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) personnel, and other JCF formations to bolster policing.

“These deployments are geared to reassure the public and to minimise opportunities for intended criminals so plazas and shopping malls/centres will be adequately policed,” he said.

“Whilst we do this, all other police activities — in terms of investigative and operational activities — will continue, and the type of call for service will also be continuing simultaneously with the high deployment,” he said.

ACP Bailey also noted that the joint crime-fighting initiatives between JCF and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will continue throughout the season and beyond.