Caribbean News Now!

By Bryan Miller

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller said that the government is pursuing a three-pronged approach to national security and the safety of the Jamaican people.

She identified the strategies as: institutional improvements; targeting organized crime; and engendering trust.

“We have been building the human resource capacity, increasing training, improving skills and the technology available to the police force,” the prime minister outlined.

The prime minister pointed out that the policy of the government is to transform the police force into a modern, more effective, responsive and responsible police service.

“The transformation is required if we are to achieve our national development goal of creating a Jamaican society that is safe, cohesive and just,” she emphasized.

She noted that over the last year the government spent some $500 million to upgrade police facilities island-wide, despite the funding constraints being experienced in all departments.

The prime minister said this was done so that the police can be more comfortable, and the public can receive better service.

“My administration believes in strengthening partnerships between the police and the community, and placing the interest of the community and residents at the centre of national security policy,” she said.

Simpson Miller called for unity, peace and love to be practiced in the communities across the island, noting that the lack thereof forms part of the challenges being experienced by the country. She emphasized that strong united communities will lead to strong parishes, and ultimately a strong nation.

She argued that crime fighting strategies will only succeed in strong united communities with a resolve to stand up against criminal activities.

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