Improved salaries among morale boosters for cops locally – Chang

Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, has hailed the recent salary increases and benefits for Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members as a morale booster for the law enforcers.

According to Chang, the public sector compensation review has not only enhanced police officers' pay, but also provided a better framework for future negotiations.

"Through the public sector compensation review, the Government ensured that police officers received a better salary; not yet fully where it should be, but a better package more befitting of police officers, and (providing) a better framework for future negotiations and development of compensation for our hardworking officers," Chang declared.

He was speaking at Thursday's passing-out parade ceremony for Batch 155 at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in St Catherine.

The minister said the Government has invested approximately $30 billion in JCF capital projects and development programmes, including the force's expansion over the last eight years.

He said approximately $43 billion is earmarked for constabulary for the next four financial years.

"Today we have recruited near 6,000 trained police officers, taking the force to its approached, approved establishment of 14,000 (officers)," the minister continued.

"This allows us to form far more efficient deployment of officers where threat risks reside and arise," he added.

Aside from improved salaries, Chang said law enforcers can carry out their duties in a better working environment.

"In addition to the increased numbers, our strategic investment in the JCF has enabled officers to have better working conditions and better tools to fight crime," he stated.

With the improved salaries and the investments made in the JCF, Chang asserted that it has done well to boost the overall morale of the constabulary.

"These investments have positively impacted police morale and have resulted in significant gains in crime fighting," he stated.

Further, Chang said the developments have resulted in the public benefitting from better police community relations, improved mutual respect, and increased trust and collaboration.

"For the public, these investments resulted in better police community relations, improved mutual respect between police and the community members and, of course, increased trust and collaboration between the police and communities they serve, resulting in significant gains by our police force in dealing with elements of extreme criminality and disorder," Chang said.