JCF to form three new police youth clubs in St James

WESTERN BUREAU:

The St James division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF] is targetting the formation of three new police youth clubs in the parish as part of its effort to forge stronger partnership with the various communities, especially the youth population.

Detective Corporal Ronald Bowen, who serves in the parish’s JCF’s Community Safety and Security Branch [CSSB] , made the announcement while addressing Sunday’s CSSB special church service at the Calvary Baptist Church, in Montego Bay. The service was held under the theme, ‘Faithful in action. Building safer schools, stronger communities’.

With the launch of the three new police youth clubs by November, the JCF’s St James division would see an increase in the number of clubs in the parish from five to eight.

“An important initiative within our schools is the Police Youth Club Movement, which allows students to take on leadership roles, serve their peers, and be part of community-building efforts,” said Bowen, “Currently, we have five active police youth clubs operating in schools across the parish, including at the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf, the first of its kind in the entire country.”

“This (the new PYCs) will expand opportunities for more young people to participate and grow in leadership, and to contribute to building safer schools and stronger communities. Of course, challenges remain, as resources are stretched and the issues facing our young people continue to evolve. But with the support of principals, teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and the church, we are confident that these goals will be met and exceeded.”

PATH OF SELF-DISCOVERY

In 2022, Deputy Superintendent of Police Angela McIntosh-Gayle, head of St James’ CSSB, announced that police youth clubs in the parish’s schools would be re-established and revamped during the 2022-2023 school year.

Two years after that announcement, Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels, the current police commander for the parish, said a drone training programme would serve to increase membership of the police youth clubs in the parish’s schools.

Bowen also told Sunday’s service that the JCF currently has 33 trained school resource officers assigned to schools across St James, working to instil discipline and respect for law and orders.

“These officers are not only guardians of safety, but they are also mentors, counsellors, and educators who help to guide our students in making wise and responsible decisions. Their presence has strengthened trust between students and the police, while encouraging discipline and building safer school environments,” said Bowen. “We have seen the results of their work in many ways, with reduced incidents of violence and increased awareness around issues such as bullying, truancy, substance abuse, and internet safety.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pheona Watson, head of the CSSB for the Area One Police Division, which includes St James, said that the JCF’s Safe Schools Programme is crucial for students’ development into functional members of society.

“We recognise that young minds are impressionable and can be swayed by various influences. If unchecked, these influences can divert them from their natural path of positive development,” Watson said in a message read on her behalf by JCF Sergeant Chantel Watson. “We capitalise on this by actively leading our students on a path of self-discovery, resilience, and empowerment, ensuring the growth of strong, resilient individuals.”