DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has appealed to the Government to ensure that the budgetary allocations to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are sustained to enable the force to fulfil the demand to reduce crime and violence.

DCP Bailey, who has responsibility for crime and security in the JCF, told a breakfast meeting that discussed security at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, providing the necessary tools for the constabulary was not just a choice but necessary in fulfilling the mandate of the force.

“I am just hoping and praying that, as we continue to utilise and improve on our technology within the JCF, one of the only fears is that we have to ensure that the budgetary allocation is sustained, as it is important for the financing of the JCF,” he stated.

Bailey said that there was an agreement, when it comes to fiscal discipline, and there were laws that were passed to ensure that irrespective of the administration that is in power, they are bonded by law to maintain a certain status in terms of discipline.

“There needs to be some bipartisan approach in terms of how we treat with the issues of law enforcement and the allocation of resources that are necessary to sustain the development, because if there is now law and if there is no order in society, business will fail and there is a nexus between economic development and law enforcement,” he said.

The “Securing Tomorrow: Enhancing Physical Security Through Technology” event was seen as timely by the deputy commissioner, who emphasised the critical importance of leveraging advanced technology in combating crime.

Security consultant Mark Shields, a former deputy police commissioner, said that in the face of escalating threats, Jamaican organisations and businesses must have access to state-of-the-art security technology to protect their assets, and that integrating innovative solutions from the company’s international partners represented a pivotal step forward.

The Digicel Business-sponsored event showcased innovative technological security solutions from leading global providers — Verkada Integrated Security Systems and Israeli-based Cawamo — focusing on empowering organisations to improve their security and effectively combat crime.

Other speakers included: Dylan Chesney, Global Account executive for Verdaka inc; David Levine, vice-president of sales at Cawamo; and Darragh Fitzgerald Selby, general manager of Digicel Bsuiness Solutions in Kingston.