Some 102 men and women from across the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) 19 policing divisions have completed the Specialised Operations Level 2 Tactical Course at the Specialised Tactical Academy in Kingston.

The three-week-long course which commenced on Sunday, September 8 and ended on Friday, September 27, forms part of an ongoing mandate to have members of the JCF become experts in dealing with hostile situations as they seek to curtail crime and violence in Jamaica.

Delivered through a mix of lectures and practical, real-life experiences, the course covered thirteen topics including the doctrine of specialised operations, effective communication, the use of force policy, weapons handling, intelligence gathering, among others.

“While these men and women were becoming specialists in these areas, they were also given significant training in handling operational activities, received extensive exposure to the range, and had their endurance tested through a twelve-mile walk from Irish Town to Catherine’s Peak,” a release from the JCF outlined.

At the close of the training, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Howard Chambers, the commanding officer in charge of specialised operations, commended the cohort for enduring what he described as rigorous training that affected the members both physically and mentally.

“After these 21 days of training, you are not only equipped to handle matters that affect this country, but also those that affect the world,” he said.

Training Officer and Assistant Superintendent of Police Romario Reid detailed the course overview, highlighting how the JCF members progressed through the course while recognising the roles of both internal and external facilitators, including specialists from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The JDF provided a wealth of knowledge to the trainees, particularly regarding field experiences.

Head of Police Area 3 Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Allen, also charged the policemen and women not to take the training for granted

“The JCF is transforming, and as such, we must be equipped to effectively deal with the ever-evolving criminal network. Use this training for your personal safety and the safety of our country.”

Overall, the members were reminded of the journey of transformation that now exists in the organisation. They were further reminded of the JCF’s “People, Quality, and Technology” mandate, and were encouraged to continue absorbing these training exercises to be part of the “quality” that will drive change. The re-sensitisation of these 102 JCF personnel is in keeping with the mandate of operational policing, which is to provide control during hostile situations in a trained and tactical manner.