ST JAMES,  Jamaica — Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Domestic Violence Intervention Unit have strengthened their capacity through a targeted training programme on domestic violence, delivered in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Centre managers and liaison officers of the JCF participated in the three-day training programme at the Sea Garden Hotel in Montego Bay, St James, from Wednesday, September 24 to Friday, September 26.

The sessions addressed key areas including the Domestic Violence Policy, standard operating procedures, the influence of social media on domestic violence, and the critical role of mental health.

Head of the JCF’s Domestic Violence Intervention Programme, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jacqueline Dillon, told JIS News that the organisation remains committed to leveraging strategic partnerships to strengthen her team’s competencies and support both personal and professional growth.

“The programme really is a refresher for them, as well as a wellness programme. We try to ensure that we bring them up to speed where that is concerned, and then we look at their own mental state to deal with other issues that may come to them from time to time,” she noted.

Meanwhile, sub-officer in charge of the unit, Detective Seargent Damion Hammond, noted that the training will contribute to an improved quality of service.

“This training is particularly important at this time. There are several issues surrounding domestic violence in this country and so, as a unit, we saw it fit to partner with UNFPA to put on this training to retool and strengthen our centre managers as they continue to deliver the service that the citizens require,” he said.

Manager of the Domestic Violence Intervention Centre in St Elizabeth, Sergeant Desiree McLeod, expressed gratitude to the UNFPA for the breadth and relevance of the topics addressed during the training.

“The segment that impacted me the most was the mental health awareness session. When you get this type of training, it helps you to be better able to deal with people when they reach out to you,” she said.

While acknowledging the timely relevance of the training, Domestic Violence Intervention Liaison Officer for the St Andrew South Division, Sergeant Moesha Allen, underscored the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating the demands of both personal and professional life.

She further noted an uptick in reports from her division, reflecting growing community trust and a strengthened willingness to disclose incidents of domestic violence.

“People are receptive of the message that we are sending out there to say that our police officers are trained, and they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deal with these situations,” Sergeant Allen said.

Domestic Violence Intervention Liaison Officer for the St Catherine North Division, Sergeant Kester Fennel, encouraged victims of domestic violence to seek assistance from the police or designated intervention centres, assuring them of the professional support available.

“We are professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills, and you can have confidence that when you come to us, we’re going to treat your situation the best way possible and help you to get the best result,” Sergeant Fennel stated.

Other stakeholder partners contributing to the delivery of the training programme included the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Court Administration Division, and the Bureau of Gender Affairs.

The UNFPA was established to address global population and reproductive health challenges, with a core mandate to advocate for the elimination of gender inequality and gender-based violence.

–          JIS