KINGSTON, Jamaica – One hundred and twenty four members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), left the island on March 23, for Port-of-Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, to assist with the provision of security for the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas.
The 30 JCF members in the contingent, met with Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, at his office on Old Hope Road, in Kingston, shortly before they left for the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Owen Ellington, told JIS News that the security support is part of a joint inter-agency operation, which is being conducted by security forces from within and outside of the Caribbean region.
“There is an arrangement in place for Caribbean states to support each other whenever there is a major security operation requiring resources, which exceed the capacity of any single state,” Mr. Ellington explained.
He pointed out that the police members are drawn from the Mobile Reserve; the Motorised Patrol Division, and the Island Special Constabulary Force, adding that they have already been exposed to operations, such as major events security, mass crowd events security, key point protection as well as public order and public safety duties. This experience, he said, is well suited for “serving overseas in a very large, very complexed multi-agency security operation.”
Inspector of Police, Alwin Brown (left), collects the passports of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), for inspection, following their meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, at his office on Old Hope Road, Monday (March 23), before they left the island for Port-of-Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, where they will provide security support for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to be held in that country from April 17 to 19.
Mr. Ellington said the lawmen, including supervisors and trainers, have been briefed and given all the necessary resources and equipment, and are expected to provide, not only security support, but “take back to Jamaica any good ideas, any best practices that were observed during the operation.” He also noted that progress reports are to be provided.
A member of the delegation, Police Sergeant, Stephen Jaggon, who is stationed at the Mobile Reserve Division in Kingston, said he was grateful for the experience that the trip would afford him.
In preparation for the trip, Sergeant Jaggon, an 18-year veteran of the JCF, said the officers were provided with training to “sharpen up” their skills.
Special Constable Maurice Thompson, who is attached to Harman Barracks, said the trip would enable him to gain and share his experience with participating counterparts in the rest of the Caribbean.
The Special Constable said he is excited and looking forward to the trip, and is prepared to “represent my country as best as I can.”
Commander for the contingent of policemen, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Wayne Cameron, informed that the officers would undergo a three-week training programme in Trinidad in preparation for the Summit. This will involve training on internal security, first aid, range work, signals, and basic awareness in forensic and evidence.
The Fifth Summit of the Americas, themed ‘Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability’, will be held from April 17 to April 19.
The focus of the Summit will be on human prosperity, energy security, climate change and sustainable development, and other matters impacting the Caribbean. It is expected that the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, will be in attendance.
