KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is strengthening its investment in its members with the launch of a pilot mentorship programme designed to promote continuous learning, transfer institutional knowledge and develop the next generation of leaders within the organisation.

The six-month Crime and Security Portfolio (CSP) Mentorship Programme was officially launched on Wednesday, August 26, under the theme “Empower, Elevate, Excel: Unlocking Potential through Mentorship”. The initiative pairs 21 experienced members of the portfolio with 42 junior ranks as part of broader succession-planning efforts.

The JCF said the programme is intended to go beyond traditional professional development by creating a platform for different generations of officers to connect, share experiences and exchange knowledge. It aims to ensure that valuable lessons gained through years of policing are preserved while encouraging fresh ideas, innovation and leadership development.

The force noted that effective policing requires more than technical skills, emphasising the importance of sound judgement, resilience, professionalism, accountability and the ability to learn from the experiences of others.

The programme will be implemented through three key stages: onboarding and goal-setting; skills development and knowledge sharing; and progress review, reflection and closure.

During the first phase, mentors and mentees will identify areas for improvement, establish growth opportunities and set career development goals guided by the SMART framework (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound objectives).

In the second phase, the emphasis will be on practical development, achieved through targeted coaching, knowledge-sharing sessions, hands-on projects and job-shadowing opportunities, the JCF said.

It added that the final stage will allow the programme’s committee to evaluate progress, identify areas that still need development and decide how the lessons learned from the mentorship can be put into practice beyond the six-month pilot period.

Branch heads within the CSP — Assistant Commissioners of Police Kirk Ricketts, Anthony McLaughlin and Wayne Josephs, along with Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Brown — will provide guidance, oversight and the necessary resources to ensure its successful implementation.

Head of the CSP, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Richard Stewart, said he looks forward to seeing the results of the partnership among the programme participants.

“It is well understood and accepted that in this era, critical thinking is an important element, but even more so, the way we go about teaching and passing on information has to be changed within this current paradigm. The mentorship programme is an example of this change; we anticipate that our mentors will not just pass on broad knowledge but will assist in developing the type of attitude that is needed for success within the CSP,” said DCP Stewart.

“I anticipate the relationship to be symbiotic; both mentors and mentees will benefit, so that we do not have a deficit,” he added.