ST JAMES, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security Senator Pearnel Charles Jr says community policing is a tried and proven strategy that is instrumental in nation building.

Addressing the closing session of a USAID-sponsored community-based policing graduation in youth engagement in Montego Bay, St James yesterday, Charles Jr said that community policing is not just a special section of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), but is a principle that must be adopted in every department and be seen as a guiding principle at all levels.

He said further that modern police service engages in partnerships with other public, private and voluntary-sector organisations to deliver collaborative services that address crime, fear of crime and other safety issues which concern communities.

  “We can all agree that public safety and security are not measured merely by the absence of crime, but by our collective effort to reassure the citizens that they will be met with fairness and justice in every interaction with members of the criminal justice system, especially the police force,” said Charles Jr.

 “As the JCF marks 150 years of service to our nation, it is also time for introspection on how to deepen and strengthen the partnership with the people of Jamaica in our effort to build a safe, peaceful and prosperous country in which we can all live, work, raise families and do business,” he said.

 In pointing to the launch of the community-based policing manual, Senator Charles Jr said that this is a major step in the right direction towards building a culture of information and knowledge sharing.

“In spite of all our challenges, we must continue to move forward with hope, knowing that even the smallest of steps towards daily excellence can yield big results,” he continued.

Twenty-nine officers completed the training with specialisation in at-risk youth engagement and anti-corruption.