The Jamaican government have joined forces and is partnering with the Canadian government to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP). Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang announced this agreement while addressing the closing ceremony and presentation of certificates at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine last Friday.
Chang said already the first 16-member cohort of the Haitian National Police was equipped with security screening interview techniques during a recently concluded one-week course at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ). He further stated that a second batch of participants have arrived in Jamaica since Dec. 9, and several training sessions for the Haitian National Police are to be undertaken over an extended time.
The national security minister said that among other things, the Haitian National Police specialized training program, was intended to assist in establishing a self-sustaining, fully functioning police force with the capacity to conduct a wide spectrum of policing functions as a critical tool to creating long term sustainable solutions to Haiti.
He noted that the recently concluded training program seeks to “strengthened the capabilities of members to conduct effective security screening interviews. This enhanced capacity will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in improving security responses by helping to identify and neutralize potential threats before they escalate,” Chang noted.
In further expressing the desired intentions of the partnership, Minister Change notes, “we will continue to play our part in supporting the multinational security support mission to Haiti, to help rebuild and standardize the security infrastructure, the local electoral system, health and the social and political arrangements in the country,” he stated.
In her support to the partnership between the Canadian and Jamaican governments, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Emina Tudakovic, said the training program is part of the shared priorities of the governments of Canada, Jamaica, and CARICOM countries to restore peace and stability in Haiti.
Tudakovic said Canada remains steadfast in its dedication to collaborating with its international partners to collectively strive to create a world that is safe, just and free of threats that undermine social order. “Our sincere appreciation goes to the national security in Jamaica for their engagement, demonstrating once again our shared commitments to the regional goals of stability and security. This collaborative effort reinforces the importance of partnerships in addressing complex security challenges,” she highlighted.
Commissioner of Police Major, Antony Anderson hailed the participants for their successful completion of the training program and noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force stands ready to assist with other areas of capacity development.
“There are certainly opportunities for expansion into other areas of policing. We are quite willing to share some of the policing tools we have been using as well as the support structures such as our legislative resources that better enable our policing efforts. We will continue to support the program and look forward to the gradual impact this initiative will have on Haiti’s security landscape and by extension the region,” he noted.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is facilitating the training program in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Global Affairs Canada-Central America and the Caribbean and other stakeholders.
