Jamaica will continue to facilitate law enforcement training for the Haitian National Police Force as part of a long-term strategy established by the government.
This commitment was emphasised by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang as he delivered the main address at the Closing Ceremony for the first Haitian National Police (HNP) Training Course, held at the National Police College of Jamaica in St. Catherine today (December 8).
The one-week training course on ‘Security Screening Interview Techniques’ was crafted to strengthen the capabilities of members of the HNP and to help to better ensure the safety and security of the Haitian people and the upholding of law and order in Haiti.
“Given the current challenges facing your country, I urge you to remain resilient and adaptable and to use your training to help bring about urgent change that is necessary” stated the Security Minister, as he encouraged the sixteen (16) Haitian Police Officers that took part in the course.
Minister Chang further highlighted that “regaining stability and restoring the rule of law in Haiti necessitates a strong commitment to strengthening the much-needed institutional capacities of the HNP and the governance framework.”
Initiatives such as these are in the medium to long-term aimed at interrupting the flow of illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition and countering transnational organised crimes in the region.
The Canadian Government, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) and other key stakeholders have pooled together to facilitate this timely training activity for the HNP, in Jamaica.
“There is a continued collaboration with the Canadian Government and other international partners to assist CARICOM Member States, in this context – Haiti, to implement initiatives that support law enforcement activities,” Minister Chang shared at the ceremony.
High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic who was also in attendance at the ceremony, said that “Canada remains steadfast in our international partnerships, including Jamaica.”
The Security Minister further added that the government of Jamaica “will continue to play our part in supporting the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, to help to rebuild and standardise the security infrastructure, the local electoral system, health and the social and political arrangements in the country.”
In October of this year, the United Nations Security Council authorised the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti for an initial period of 12 months, with a review after nine.
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