Head of the St Andrew South police, acting Senior Superintendent Damion Manderson says policing is more than just the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the uniformed bodies of government.

SSP Manderson, speaking at the St Andrew South Police District Consultative Committee Conference, told stakeholders that policing was about citizen engagement and support.

The conference, a partnership between the St Andrew South Police District Consultive Committee and several stakeholders, was held Saturday at the Pembroke Hall High School Auditorium under the theme: ‘Bridging the gap between police and citizens’.

“In St Andrew South, we value our stakeholders, their oversight, accountability partnership, engagement and support in creating safer communities,” Manderson told a packed auditorium. “We stand with our stakeholders. We can count on them, and they can count on us. That’s partnership at its finest.”

He said his division will continue to build partnerships for safer communities, as citizen security is a collective effort achieved through cooperation.

Attending the conference were several government representatives, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness; Custos of St Andrew, Ian Forbes; Dr Angela Brown-Burke – Member of Parliament for St Andrew South West – and a host of other officials.

Pastor Patrick Jordon led the St Andrew South Police District Consultative Committee, which, along with civil society organizations, private entities and academia, forged a partnership of community development consultative activities.

These activities include consulting with stakeholders and their representatives, providing relevant information on health and safety issues, encouraging feedback, and working together to implement effective safety measures.