FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

In the wake of reports of the poor state of the Falmouth Police Divisional Headquarters on Rodney Street, the Trelawny Parish Council has agreed to temporarily transform the matron's quarters of the Trelawny Infirmary into a cop shop.

At a recent meeting, councillors voted unanimously to make the facility available to the police.

However, the council is awaiting final approval from the Department of Local Government on the recommendation.

Under the agreement reached between the council and the Ministry of National Security, the ministry will underwrite the cost to effect the necessary repairs to the facility. In addition, the national security ministry is expected to pay a nominal fee to the parish council to use the facility. The sum is to be decided by the parties.

Mayor of Falmouth Collin Gager described the decision as crucial.

"The current location of the Falmouth police headquarters is not conducive to housing the law officers, which could also prohibit them from carrying out their daily functions effectively," Gager said.

The mayor has called for the business community to partner with the council in providing assistance to the police.

He is also urging the parties involved in the construction of the new multimillion-dollar police station on Rodney Street to speedily resume work on the project.

In addition to the matron's quarters, which will house the administrative offices of the Falmouth police, the council is proposing to erect at least two trailer containers adjacent to the building to accommodate additional police personnel.