Prime Minister Andrew Holness: The JCF Cannot have any of it’s members involve in gangs

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has achieved a significant milestone, with 99 Sergeants scheduled to graduate from the Inspector Development Course at the National Police College of Jamaica.

In his address to the graduates, Prime Minister Andrew Holness recognized that there have been instances of criminal elements infiltrating the police force. He emphasized to the graduates that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) must not allow any of its members to engage in gang-related activities.

Holness warned the members of the force that gangsters are a scourge on communities, threatening the safety and well-being of innocent citizens. He emphasized that their criminal activities undermine the foundations of society, creating an environment filled with fear and mistrust. The impact of gang violence extends beyond immediate harm; it fractures families and isolates neighborhoods, leaving lasting scars on the fabric of communal life. Holness urged law enforcement to work diligently and collaboratively in order to combat this menace, restoring hope and security to the areas plagued by such turmoil.

As we invest in grading, eroding and eradicating the gangs, the JCF can’t have any of it’s members involved in gangs. None of the JCF members can be in any way shape or form, associated with, offering support, giving information or taking money from being being friends with people in gangs, it must not happen, he said.

It could be a school friend. You could have grown up with them in the community, separate yourselves from them. They mean us no good. They have been the bane of our existence for the last 40 years.

All of them who pretend that they are dons or dads or support communities and keep treats and help people, at night they call the daughters and sons of the community members and send them to go and rob. This new batch of the leadership of the JCF must make it a part of your doctrine that we do not associate with criminals, gangsters, and people who are associated with organised crime, he said.