Police force receives 27 new service vehicles from Japan

The Government of Japan has donated 27 new service vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

In addition, the Japanese Government has donated five ambulances and an inflatable patrol boat to the JCF. These are expected to be handed over shortly.

The service vehicles were officially handed over at the Offices of the Commissioner of Police in St Andrew on Tuesday.

In his address at the ceremony, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan for its support and contributions to strengthen Jamaica’s national security infrastructure.

Noting that the addition of these vehicles to the JCF fleet comes at an opportune time during the Yuletide season, he said this represents an investment in the effectiveness of the organisation’s operations, as they will greatly enhance the JCF’s capacity to respond promptly to emergencies, conduct patrols in challenging terrain and support its broader crime-prevention community policing strategies.

“Mobility is a critical part of modern policing. The 27 police vehicles will contribute significantly to mobility. We thank you for the contribution, as the Government of Jamaica seeks to continue to build out a full fleet for the police,” he said.

Additionally, he noted that the contribution of the five ambulances is a critical and valued addition to the fleet.

“We want to ensure that police officers who are injured or sick, we have our own emergency vehicles to move them as quickly as possible to a place of safety where they can get the kind of treatment that they need,” the minister said.

Dr Chang noted that the JCF will begin the process of developing a fleet policy for the management and maintenance of vehicles in the JCF during the course of the next calendar year.

Japan’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Yasuhiro Atsumi, said the gesture symbolises another landmark in the special relationship between the Government and people of Japan and Jamaica.

“I am sure the JCF will be able to improve its response capability through the deployment of these additional equipment, while maintaining law and order, detecting and preventing crime, protecting life and property and preserving peace across Jamaica,” he said.

“By providing police vehicles and a patrol boat to the JCF, this cooperation is expected to boost mobility and strengthen the security capability of the Jamaican police.”