JOEL Robinson remembers clearly the moment he decided to become a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“While I was going to school I had some friends in grade nine who decided to do some things that are not right.

They pressured me to do the same but I refused to do so.

One of them was expelled in grade nine and he became a contract killer and subsequently was fatally shot by the police.

“When I look at this experience I told myself that no child or no youth under my care is going to be able to say that there was no programme in place to help them.

So I am all about trying to be proactive, save them from themselves,” Robinson told the Jamaica Observer moments after being named the Lasco Police Officer of the Year 2026 on Monday.

That experience moved Robinson to implement two programmes to help troubled youth — ‘Strategic Workshop on Anti Gang (SWAGA)’ and ‘Operation Learn, not Loiter’.

From left: James ED Rawle, executive chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies; Sergeant Ricardo McCalpin first runner-up; 2026 Lasco/JCF Top Cop Constable Joel Robinson; Constable Nicholas Linton, second runner-up; and Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)

Both programmes, he said, were central to his achievement.

“As the safe school coordinator in St Catherine North I mainly focus on youths.

What we ask is that teachers don’t wait until these youths harm themselves.

So it is a proactive measure in the sense that we ask them to send the students to us before and we have sessions with them.

We engage our outside stakeholders such as the National Council on Drug Abuse, and we also partner with other stakeholders in order to help these young minds to guide them towards wise choices,” Robinson explained.

He added that the initiative which was launched in 2023 has reaped significant rewards.

“Some of them are just troubled and they just need someone to give them a listening ear.

There are students now who were literally kicked out of school and because of the intervention they were reintegrated into the schools.

So if we can save just one life, that is enough for me because we don’t look at impact as the amount but if we can just save one life, that is important for me,” he pressed.

Robinson, who is assigned to the Area 5, St Catherine North Division, and serves in the Community Safety and Security Unit as a school resource officer, was among a field of six finalist awarded at the LASCO/JCF Saluting Our Heroes Awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston.

Adding that he has been recognised on several occasions, Robinson told the Observer that receiving the highly coveted Chairman’s Award was a long held ambition.

“This is not the first time I’m entering the competition but I told myself that one day, one day I must be in the top six and once I’m in the top six, I told myself that I’m going to be the winner,” said Robinson who was awarded a first-place cash prize of $175,000 and a promotion from constable to corporal.

The LASCO/ JCF Saluting Our Heroes Awards was established in 2000, and seeks to publicly recognise members of the force for their exemplary service, dedication, and contribution to the nation.

The selection process occurs at three levels: Divisional, Area and National.

Sergeant Ricardo McCalpin of the Non-Geographic Formation, was named first runner-up, and winner of the popular vote section, receiving a cash prize of $125,000 and the elevation to the rank of inspector.

“It has always been a dream of mine to wear the khaki uniform.

I remember sitting and watching inspectors in their uniform and saying to myself, I am just wondering when I will be in that uniform.

So, getting this rank means a lot to me.

When your work is recognised and you go through a rigorous interview process and come out number two, then you know that you did well in a field of winners from across the island.

I wanted to top it, but God has bigger plans as his own purpose and his mission.

So I’m grateful for whatever position I finish today,” McCalpin said.

McCalpin, who has been a member of the JCF for more than 16 years, serves as the National Police Youth Club coordinator.

He was recognised for his contributions towards the planning and implementation of programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering young people across the island.

Constable Nicholas Linton, who is attached to the St Andrew South Division, was placed third, receiving a cash prize of $ 100,000.

“We mainly focus on the communities and conducting walk-throughs in communities like Majesty Gardens, CockBurn Pen and Payne Avenue.

When you get the reception that persons appreciate what you’re doing, it gives you the drive to want to help them and want to help to build these communities to become safer,” Linton told the Observer.

Sergeant Darrall Ellis of Area One was named third runner-up, while Corporal Shevana Burns of Area Three and Sergeant Saneisha Johnson-Watkis of Area Two placed fourth and fifth runner- up, respectively.

Each of the three received a $75,000 cash prize.