Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang remains firm on remarks made last Friday in Frome, Westmoreland, where he urged police officers to use all means necessary to preserve their own lives and the lives of bystanders when confronted by gunmen.

The response comes amid misleading editorialising by the Jamaica Gleaner in an article published on Friday, September 16, 2022, under the headline: “Shoot to kill, Chang, tell cops”. The headline conveyed the erroneous idea that the Minister urged police to kill with impunity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, says the act of a

few evil-minded men will not deter the steely resolve of the police to effectively combat armed violence

in the country.

He was responding to the brutal gun attack on Sunday (September 18, 2022), which left three people

dead and six others injured at a football game in Spring Village, Old Harbour in St. Catherine, and the

recent attack in Spanish Town that left a mother listening to the dying cries of her infant child.

No matter how sophisticated criminals become, the police will be better, declares Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, in a strongly worded warning to criminals.

He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new police station at Frome in Westmoreland on Thursday, September 15, 2022, where he addressed the high murder rate in the parish.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang says the nation’s capacity to respond to armed violence will be strengthened following the Senate’s approval of the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act 2022.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang describes the death of Police Detective Sergeant Victor Francis as “untimely and most unfortunate”.

He said, Francis’ decision to intervene in an altercation was an act of bravery and showed his commitment to his job as a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Francis succumbed to stab wounds he received during a fight between two men in Portmore, St. Catherine on Saturday, September 10, 2022.

Minister Chang has offered condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

The Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act 2022 in Parliament on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Under the

provisions of the Act, the Minister of National Security will no longer have a role in the appeal process.

Security Minister will not have a role in gun license appeal process – Minister Chang

Provisioned under the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, the Minister of National Security will no longer have a role in the appeals process for gun licenses when the Act is passed into law.

Photo caption: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang engages in conversation with a construction worker during a tour of the Sangster International Airport on Thursday, August 18 in Montego Bay, St. James. The airport is currently undergoing expansion of its runway.

Investments being made to improve port security – Minister Chang

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr Horace Chang, urged the cohort of freshly minted police officers to be true to themselves and to the mission of serving the Jamaican people with dignity and due care.

He made the remarks earlier today at the Passing Out Parade, Certificate and Award Ceremony for 120 police officers at the National Police College of Jamaica, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Zavia Mayne says inmates’ participation in rehabilitation programmes in correctional facilities should be mandatory.

While delivering the keynote address at the recent Passing Out Parade for the 82nd Intake of Correctional Officers, he explained that although the Department of Correctional Services is responsible for caring for and rehabilitating inmates, rehabilitation efforts also require input from Jamaica’s Courts.

St. Elizabeth is set to receive its first newly built police station, under the Ministry of National Security’s Project Rebuild, Overhaul and Construct (P-ROC), which is expected to be completed in 30 months. The impending project is the seventh such facility to be constructed and funded by the National Housing Trust (NHT).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, made the revelation recently, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Lacovia Police Station.