I snapped these pictures today and yesterday. The first was taken at a downtown Jamaica Constabulary Force Office. I was there for a meeting and took this picture of a list of strategic priorities. It is hard to read, but they include reminders that officers should respect citizens and other similar sentiments. This struck me in light of the recent revelations of the amount of extrajudicial killings so far in 2014, which is nearing two dozen, approximately.
The other picture is of a guard with a large rifle outside a bank at HalfWay Tree. He was watching the entrance as two colleagues collected money in the bank. Just a reminder that crime and violence colour the lives of every citizen in Jamaica, no matter who you are, no matter where you are.
Jamaican Journal 
The Daily Mail IS sensational, it’s a British tabloid! But the “one per day” assertion is quite accurate of course. The trust issue is huge…and it stems from corruption. Do you trust the police (in general)? I certainly don’t.
Yes, the Daily Mail is sensational, but the reporting on this piece does seem solid. I would not comment on whether or not I trust the police as a white foreigner- it is such a different experience for me. But I do know what Jamaicans say- they have NO trust in police at all. This is sad.
As I wrote earlier today (http://jamaicapoliticaleconomy.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/eroding-our-own-future/), ‘Crime has become a tourniquet….Crime seems to be everywhere. Crime seems to involve almost any and everyone…Crime has taken a deep hold of the society…’
The police in Jamaica have tried a (hard handed) version of crime control that has been shown not to work, but it persists. Trust in the police is near rock bottom, which means that almost anything offered by the police is seen as tainted. It’s not easy to see how we get out of the vicious circle that we’re in.
Thank you for your comment. Your characterization of how much crime impacts life here in Jamaica is powerful and accurate, I believe. Whether you carry a knife to protect yourself, don’t go out at night or are directly involved in crime, nobody is immune. And check out this story- extrajudicial killings in JA now making international news. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2544250/Caribbean-island-gun-police-kill-one-civilian-EVERY-day-Calls-inquiry-claims-alleged-death-squads-Jamaica.html
Saw the Mail article. It’s perfect sensational fodder.