PORT MARIA, St Mary — While major crimes have declined in this parish, the police are reporting an increase in another area of concern.

“[There is] an increase in mental health-related calls,” said Acting Senior Superintendent Adrian Quest.

Speaking during a recent town hall meeting in Port Maria, he assured that the police division is working closely with the Ministry of Health to better manage these cases.

Quest noted that family members have been more willing to report loved ones who are struggling, and he commended them for seeking help.

“We want to encourage people, if you see that your family member is having some challenges, to reach out to the health professionals. Let the professionals handle it,” he urged.

Quest said members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are being trained to respond with more care and understanding when dealing with mental health-related incidents. He said the partnership with health authorities is aimed at ensuring individuals receive the treatment they need instead of ending up within the criminal justice system.

There has long been concern about how members of the JCF engage with the mentally ill who pose a danger to themselves or others. There have been a number of shootings, some of them fatal. In April of this year, for example, May Pen resident Peter Gooden, said to be mentally ill, was fatally shot by the police in Clarendon. Cops were on patrol in the town centre when they had a confrontation with Gooden, which led to him being shot.

In October 2024, an unidentified man was shot dead after throwing stones at law enforcement officers in Manchester, which resulted in injuries to three cops. It is alleged that the mentally ill individual had earlier attacked an elderly man.

— Ingrid Henry