Government senator and senior member of the Jamaica Labour Party’s Communications Taskforce, Marlon Morgan has welcomed President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, Darrin Simmons’ endorsement of policy initiatives and strategies implemented by Jamaica which have led to a transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and contributed to a major reduction in crime.

While addressing the ongoing JCF Expo in Kingston, Commissioner Simmons cited Jamaica as exemplary.

“Your police force has shown us a way forward. Commissioner Blake and his team haven’t just talked about transformation, they are delivering it. While our region grapples with rising violence, Jamaica has forged a new path,” Simmons said. “The numbers don’t just speak, they shout about what is possible. These changes are the envy of every Caribbean nation. Indeed, any police force the world over would celebrate numbers like these. Jamaica hasn’t just improved, you have transformed the definition of what a well-led, sufficiently funded Caribbean police force can achieve.”

Commissioner Simmons further noted investments in the JCF that have reaped results.

“JCF didn’t achieve this through enforcement alone. They have also built trust by focusing on people, quality and technology, by recognising that 21st century policing requires 21st century thinking. You see, communities don’t just want warriors. They want partners. They don’t just want occupiers. They want protectors, capable guardians. They don’t want to fear the police. They want to trust the police with a healthy dose of respect,” he added.

Senator Morgan says it is extremely encouraging and humbling that at the same time Jamaica is being hailed around the world as a success story in terms of fiscal and economic reform, the island is also attracting the attention for its policing that has resulted in a 44 per cent reduction in murders and 20 per cent reduction in major crimes year to date.

Senator Morgan asserted: “Every well-thinking and patriotic Jamaican should be proud that the President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police heaped commendation on the JCF for its enviable transformation and hailed Jamaica for its turnaround in significantly reducing major crimes, particularly murders. The Bermudian Police Commissioner’s acknowledgement of Jamaica’s successes in crime fighting is a most compelling indication that we are on the right track and are doing things that other countries looking on deem worthy of commendation and emulation.”

The senior JLP spokesman added: “Commissioner Darrin Simmons’ remarks at the JCF Transformations Expo 2.0 underscored the importance of effective leadership in policing and the Government’s role in providing the financial resources necessary to foster citizen safety and security. While naysayers, for politically motivated reasons, are seeking to disregard the contribution of the Jamaica Labour Party Government to the country’s 44 per cent reduction in murders, the symbiotic relationship between the work of the police and the support provided by the Government is precisely what Commissioner Simmons of Bermuda highlighted.”

In closing, Senator Morgan said: “The Andrew Holness-led Jamaica Labour Party Government will remain resolute in its support and partnership with the JCF, as it recognizes that a focus on People, Quality and Technology will continue to yield positive results in terms of sustained reduction in murders. The Jamaica Labour Party is delighted that Jamaica’s peers throughout the region and across the world are taking note of our successes, and we are proud and honoured that our national security successes thus far are the envy of every Caribbean nation, as Commissioner Simmons asserted in his address at the JCF Transformations Expo 2.0.”