KINGSTON, Jamaica — Work has, to date, been completed on 14 new and fully rehabilitated police stations since the commencement of Project ‘Rebuild, Overhaul and Construct’ (ROC).

These are located in Shady Grove, Port Antonio, Buff Bay, Olympic Gardens, Mount Salem, Spring Hill, Franklyn Town, Adelphi, Lionel Town, Four Paths, Denham Town, Moneague, Bog Walk, and Hopewell.

This was disclosed by Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, who indicated that five additional stations are currently under construction. These are located in Frome, Little London, Stony Hill, Anchovy and Lacovia.

Dr Chang made the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 14.

Project ROC aims to improve the working conditions of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members and boost the customer experience for persons visiting police stations.

Dr Chang also informed that three major construction projects being undertaken are proceeding on track.

These include the Westmoreland Divisional Headquarters, for which ground has been broken; the St Catherine North Divisional Headquarters, for which ground is about to be broken; and the Specialised Operations West facility in Montego Bay, representing a combined investment of $15 billion.

“This is a major investment in infrastructure, and it reflects the Government’s commitment to public safety [and] good order, but to also ensure that our professionals, who are protecting us, have appropriate working conditions,” the minister stated.

Meanwhile, five new stations slated to be constructed are now going through the public investment appraisal phase.

These will be built in Amity Hall and Granville, St James; Bull Bay, St Andrew; Cave Valley, St Ann, and Dias, Hanover.

“Some are likely to begin before the end of this financial year. All other police facilities have undergone significant levels of repair and renovation in order to ensure that they are in a functional state for the occupants. In addition, a number of our stations are undergoing major rehabilitation in order to accommodate the full digitisation programme of the force,” Dr Chang stated.

“The public can say that they are witnessing tangible efforts by their Government to truly professionalise the police force and to provide them with the infrastructure befitting of their professional status,” he added.

Dr Chang also advised that the Government has developed blueprints for police stations, where all new constructions adhere to standardised features based on their size and service demands.

He noted that in a bid to expedite the process, the Government not only engaged the Consolidated Fund but collaborated with the National Housing Trust (NHT) and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for additional capital expenditure.

“The NHT focused on areas where they have built homes, since security is crucial to the communities, while JSIF directed its assistance to bring opportunities to areas that have particular challenges, in keeping with its own mandate. This reflects the high priority this Government places on achieving public safety for its citizens,” Dr Chang said.

— JIS