A new generation of law enforcement professionals ready to serve
Jamaica Live News Desk | July 25, 2025
In a significant step toward strengthening national security and community safety, 268 new recruits officially began their journey with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) during an Enlistment Exercise held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the National Police College of Jamaica in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.
The ceremony welcomed Batches 163 and 164 and marked the beginning of their formal training to serve and protect the nation. The enlistment exercise was conducted under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Merrick Watson and is a critical component of the JCF’s ongoing strategic priority—Workforce Development and Modernisation.
Also present to support the new recruits were several high-ranking members of the JCF, including Acting Assistant Commissioner Garfield Taylor, Senior Superintendents Aaron Fletcher and Maldria Jones Williams, Superintendent Lawrence Ogilvie, Deputy Superintendents Michael Cunningham and Maxine Hyman, and Inspectors Dave Foreman and Damien Donaldson. The recruits were also cheered on by members of the instructional staff, stakeholders, family, and friends who gathered to witness the occasion.
During his address, ACP Watson emphasized the importance of the enlistment process in shaping a modern and effective police force equipped to meet the dynamic needs of Jamaican society. He noted that the recruits were not just joining an institution—they were becoming part of a legacy grounded in discipline, service, and transformation.
“As you step forward, understand that you are not merely donning a uniform. You are committing yourselves to a standard of excellence, accountability, and national pride,” Watson declared. “The nation is looking to you—not only to enforce the law but to uplift the communities you will serve.”
The enlistment is part of a broader effort by the JCF to modernize its ranks, integrate advanced training protocols, and enhance public trust and safety islandwide. Recruits will undergo rigorous training in law enforcement, human rights, community engagement, and ethical conduct.
The launch of these two new batches reflects the JCF’s continuous push to recruit capable, committed individuals ready to take on the multifaceted challenges of modern policing in Jamaica.
The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the Force’s core values—service, integrity, respect for all, and professional excellence. The journey ahead for these 268 recruits is one of sacrifice and honor, and the nation now watches with pride and anticipation as they prepare to uphold the badge.
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Jamaica Live will continue to follow the progress of Batches 163 and 164 as they train to become the next generation of law enforcement professionals.