JCF to redouble effort to catch criminals

Minister of National Security Peter Bunting says that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will redouble its effort to rid the nation of acts of criminality, while focusing more on community policing.

"Although we have seen progress in a number of critical areas, we witnessed an unwelcome increase in 2015 when it came to murders, but we will not be deterred or daunted by this setback. We are in this fight to win.

"The nation cannot allow a minority of heartless and selfish individuals to rob our citizens and children of their right to live and grow up in safe and peaceful communities," the Minister said.

Bunting was speaking at the Jamaica Constabulary Force annual 2016 devotions exercise, held at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, in St Andrew, yesterday.

He pointed out that the ministry, through 'Unite for Change' and other initiatives, had put significant efforts into building stronger partnerships between the police and the citizenry, which "are bearing fruit".

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams encouraged Jamaicans to continue partnering with the JCF to provide a safer environment.

"Crime fighting and restoring peace in our community and society are not just the job for the police, it is for all of us. I am extending my arm to partner with each and everyone who is willing to see peace restored in Jamaica.

"We have come this far by faith and we are going to go much further by faith, doggedness, and hard work," he said.