The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be targeting teenagers in its latest recruiting strategy to increase and reach the objective of 1,250 new members this year.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dian Bartley, who is in charge of the JCF’s recruiting, the first teen-focused exercise will be held next Saturday at the Guys Hill High School in St Catherine, with the intention to have several more across the island.

“We are going into schools now. What we are talking about, now we [are] looking at a school invasion, so we [are] going directly into the schools to attract the young men and women. I would really want to see more young men coming out, more 17-and-a-half-year-olds coming out,” said Bartley.

“We are going into Guys Hill, which is the first high school invasion and this request came from the community, from the school and we are targeting 17-and-a-half-year-old males, to come out at that, and once you have the CXCs, come prepared, we ready for you, we want to see you,” Bartley added.

She was speaking in an interview with Jamaica Observer Online on Saturday at the Merl Grove High School, where a regular recruiting drive was held, as the JCF continues its recent strategy of taking the process into the communities.

On Saturday, 70 women and 64 men passed the first stage of the recruiting process and were allowed to sit the requisite test. That stage included height, weight and having the requisite four passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Approximately 30, however, failed the test and were rejected. They were advised that they could sit the test again elsewhere, as the JCF allows each person four opportunities to pass the test.

Bartley implored community-based organisations, as well as leaders in their communities, to help the JCF by organising the young people to turn up at the recruiting drive when it reaches the respective areas.

“The people we want to see, the young men and women, not that what we are getting isn’t enough but what we would want to see, we are not seeing it. So we implore parents, because the truth is, the JCF affords opportunities that other entities don’t,” she said while noting that these include paid vacation for school, paid leave and career development opportunities.

Bartley stated that this will enable Jamaicans to reach the officer ranks of the JCF at an earlier age as she cited individuals in the Initial Officers Training Programme, now being officers at 24 years of age as they joined the entity at 19.