Jamaica Trains First Batch of Haitian Police Officers

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), has now  completed training of the first batch of Haitian police officers.

Police Commissioner Antony AndersonThe police force has been tasked to equip its Haitian counterparts with the knowledge necessary to handle the security issues.

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says the initiative provides the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience gained over many years of tackling difficult circumstances.

“I think we are on the second iteration now, which is important that we actually got something going, something off the ground to meet the mandate given to us by the prime minister to assist where we can – and we are already doing that,” he said.

While Haiti has suffered from gang violence for decades, the current wave of brutality escalated after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Gangs have taken control of large parts of the country, waging terror on residents and killing hundreds.

Between July and September, the Haitian National Police recorded 1,239 homicides, compared to 577 in the same period in 2022

It said abductions also surged to 701 victims, representing a shocking 244 per cent increase.