Chief of staff, Jamaica Defence Force, Brigadier David Smith, and the Commissioner of Police A. G. Langdon have been putting things in place to ensure that adequate systems are in place for the general election. Both police as well as soldiers will be present at polling stations. They will also be stationed in problematic areas.

Published Saturday, February 18, 1967

Police, Military plan tight security

-Election: Anti-violence moves…

-Patrols start this weekend - reinforcements ready

-Regular soldiers for island’s West.

REGULAR MILITARY FORCES will assist the police in the job of maintaining order during the closing stages of next Tuesday’s election. During this weekend and until the election is over, regular military forces will be on patrol in all likely trouble areas and will be assisted by helicopter and light airplanes. In addition, regular military forces will be maintained in the western section of the island – Cornwall – for a similar purpose.

The following joint announcement was made yesterday by the chief of staff, Jamaica Defence Force, Brigadier David Smith, and the Commissioner of Police A. G. Langdon:

Everybody is aware of the state of tension that exists at the present time and the Government has directed that every precaution is taken to prevent violence and permit peaceful voting throughout Jamaica on Election Day, and that the public should be informed of the arrangements that have been made.

To achieve maximum security, all the police throughout Jamaica will be on duty and the Island Special Constabulary Force has been called out. In addition, throughout the island, parish special constables have been sworn in to do duty both before and on Election Day.

1,500 parish specials

In addition, in Kingston and St Andrew, some 1,500 parish special constables are being enlisted as a Mobile Reserve, and will be standing by for duty. This special reserve is also fully equipped and has radio communications.

On Election Day, police will be in attendance at every polling station throughout Jamaica and mobile patrols will operate continuously in all areas and, where the greatest tension exists, these patrols will be heavily reinforced. Mobile reserves of regular policemen will be standing by to go to any particular trouble spots.

It will be realised that the police could not maintain this effort for the whole period without assistance and, during this weekend, units of the Jamaica Defence Force will come into operation.

National reserve called out

In order to give the necessary assistance to the Jamaica Constabulary over this period, the Defence Board has called out the Jamaica National Reserve and they will be located in strategic parishes throughout Jamaica to give full coverage to the island.

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