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JAM | Aug 12, 2022

Holness credits JCF for anti-aggressive crime fighting approach

Tamoy Ashman

Tamoy Ashman / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (Photo: JIS)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has commended the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for its anti-aggressive approach to fighting crime.

He noted that, in recent times, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has managed to fight crime without the use of excessive force.

At the forefront of this change, Holness credits the introduction of the INDECOM Act.

“The INDECOM Act was very influential in its impact on the police force. But that is not the complete story. The truth is that the JCF itself recognised that the way in which law enforcement was conducted was not supportive of the objective of providing safety and security to the citizens,” noted Holness.

Holness calls for mutual respect

He commended the JCF, stating that all around action is being taken to ensure that the force used is equivalent to the crime.

While addressing the National Commission on Violence Prevention on Thursday (August 11), Holness said: “It breaks my heart to see citizens in conflict with the security forces. At the core of the problem is the issue of respect in the relationship between citizens and law enforcement officers.”

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson. (Photo: JIS)

Holness said he is currently in communication with the commissioner of police about a public education plan surrounding interaction with law enforcers.

“I was recently in central Kingston and a young lady pointed out that ‘the police them nuh treat we with respect’. That is the core of the problem. It is a respect issue,” shared Holness.

While respect from law enforcers is needed, Holness added that often citizens would shout expletives at policemen when they are trying to do their job.

“It is important that we treat this issue of aggression around the use of authority,” said Holness. He further discouraged these acts by citizens, pleading for mutual respect between citizens and police officers.

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