Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the construction of the new St. Catherine North Police Divisional Headquarters marks a defining investment in the security and renewal of Spanish Town, signalling the Government’s determination to reclaim the historic town from criminal influence and restore it as a centre of growth and opportunity.

During a tour of the construction site on Wednesday, the Prime Minister described the $2.3 billion project as a bold declaration of the State’s intent to bring stability and progress to the old capital.

“This investment is a clear signal that the Government of Jamaica is taking back Spanish Town,” Dr Holness said. “By placing a state-of-the-art, well-designed divisional headquarters here, we are staking the Government’s claim against the gangs and criminal enterprises that have for too long operated in this space. This facility is a statement of confidence and commitment to the people.”

The new Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Divisional Headquarters will accommodate nearly 300 police personnel and serve as the operational and administrative command centre for the St Catherine North Police Division. It is designed to strengthen the JCF’s capacity to tackle organized crime and deepen community engagement through improved service delivery.

Dr Holness emphasised that the Government’s investment in security infrastructure forms a cornerstone of Jamaica’s development strategy, as stability and safety are essential to economic expansion and investor confidence.

“You cannot have development without security,” he stated. “When the State asserts control and creates a safe environment, investors gain confidence, communities grow, and new opportunities emerge. That is what this project represents the beginning of a new era of safety and renewal for Spanish Town.”

The Prime Minister said Spanish Town possesses a “unique energy” in commerce, housing, and transportation that must now be directed toward sustainable development. He noted that years of congestion, informal activity, and gang dominance have slowed the town’s growth, but that coordinated government investments are reversing that trend.

“We cannot have development with gangs operating in the area,” he said. “Once this station is finished and operational, and the police who occupy it are properly missioned, the ultimate objective is to make sure that development can flow into Spanish Town.”

Dr Holness also highlighted that Spanish Town is currently benefiting from multiple multi-billion-dollar projects, including the expansion of the Spanish Town Hospital, aimed at improving healthcare delivery and community well-being.

“In this area, we have two major projects ongoing the new wing at the Spanish Town Hospital and the new police headquarters,” he said. “Both are multi-billion-dollar projects that, when complete, will significantly improve the quality of life for residents.”

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that these initiatives form part of the Government’s broader, deliberate plan to align infrastructure, health, and security development in driving long-term national growth.