KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 22, CMC – National Security Minister, Robert Montague, has called on the population to be more appreciative of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) role in safeguarding the country’s security.

National Security Minister, Robert Montague (file Photo)

Addressing a ceremony here where a vehicle valued at J$7.6 million (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents) was donated to the Jamaica Police Federation, Montague said that the JCF’s members often worked under severe conditions “that leave much to be desired”.

He said against this background, the government is taking steps to effect improvements, to include repairing more police stations and boosting the organisation’s mobility.

He said the latter intervention will entail the acquisition of 200 additional motor vehicles at a cost of J$418 million and would augment the 114 motor cycles that were recently repaired after being side-lined since 2012.

Montague told the ceremony that the JCF is among some of the most “under-appreciated” institutions in Jamaica, and emphasised the need to “place on record, our thanks and appreciation for the work and worth of the members.

“We need to show more appreciation, as a nation, for the persons who put on the uniform of the constabulary force… or who simply serve this country in the many ways that they are called upon to serve.”

Police Federation Chairman, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, noted the “arduous and challenging” environment under which the JCF’s members work.

But he welcomed the government’s undertaking to improve the conditions under which the police work, and expressed gratitude “for your unrelenting support given to the men and women of the JCF”.