DESPITE its frequent disagreements with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is confident that it can be a bridge to improve the relationship between cops and citizens.

Executive director of JFJ Mickel Jackson on Monday told the Jamaica Observer that the entity has set that as one of its goals under a three-year project focused on promoting and safeguarding human rights in Jamaica through education, advocacy, and legal support services.

The project, dubbed ‘The Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Jamaica’, is being funded by the European Union (EU) to the tune of approximately $53 million.

According to Jackson, mutual respect is necessary for improving the relationship between police and citizens.

“What we want to do throughout this process is to help both the JCF and the citizens understand the importance of law enforcement and citizen relationship…it means that citizens are to be empowered [to know] what their rights are,” said Jackson.

“For example, whenever you are pulled over or stopped by a law enforcement officer, you can say, ‘Officer,’ quite respectfully, ‘this is my right, and I think how you’re acting is running contrary to my right.’ But respect is key,” added Jackson.

She said while the aim is to move beyond an adversarial relationship between the police and civilians, JFJ will be prepared to step in if violations do happen.

In the meantime, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Clifford Blake told the JFJ project launch that the JCF supports the aims of the human rights group.

“As the newly appointed inspector general of the Inspectorate of Professional Standards and Oversight Bureau, I bring forth the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s core values of integrity, accountability, and unwavering professionalism… Even as recently as last week, our Commissioner of Police [Dr Kevin Blake] unequivocally stated that professionalism and respect for human rights is non-negotiable within the JCF,” said DCP Blake

He argued that although many videos circulate about altercations involving civilians and members of the JCF, it may not always be the fault of the officer but a result of the lack of trust and understanding between the police and citizens.

“We see this particular subject area [human rights] as very important to get a better understanding as we carry out our roles and our functions in the community, and following that, also the training of law enforcement officers in human rights is very important… In fact, almost all of our training courses at the National Police College of Jamaica has a component in human rights…also our senior officers’ training programmes have components of human rights,” added Blake.

He acknowledged that some cops have tarnished the reputation of the JCF in the past but declared that the organisation is determined to change this through professionalism and accountability.

EU Ambassador to Jamaica Marianne Van Steen voiced support for the aims of the JFJ project.

Under the project, JFJ is targeting young adults and children who come in contact with the law, citizens from marginalised communities, and law enforcement officers.

The aim is to provide at least 300 Jamaicans with legal support, advice, documentation, and representation on matters of rights violations.

Additionally, 40 community interventions and mobile legal clinics will be held across high-risk communities in parishes, including St James, St Catherine, Kingston, and Westmoreland.

JFJ has also committed to hosting social justice and life skills sessions with at least 2,500 high-risk students at the primary and secondary school levels. The sessions will cover topics, including conflict resolution and child diversion.

The group will also select at least 20 informal community leaders to act as “justice advocates”. They will be trained in social justice and restorative justice practices to improve conciliation and mediation.

In addition, JFJ plans to enter the virtual space by developing a two-fold mobile application to encourage reporting of human rights violation experienced or observed and provide education on citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.

Guest speaker at JFJ’s project launch, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, lauded the entity for its efforts to promote human rights.