In this February 28 file photo, students participate in a peace march in the Grants Pen community in St Andrew organised by the Violence Prevention Alliance. The United States Agency for International Development says some success was achieved from the community-policing model implemented in the area a few years ago. - File

DESPITE OBVIOUS challenges with the community-based policing model in Grants Pen, St Andrew, the project's donor, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is pointing out that there are some successes being reaped from its current project in the community.

The pilot project, which was managed by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), led to the establishment of a $177 million model police station in the community. The project's aim was to develop a model for community policing; reduce mutual fear between the police and residents; and, engage community stakeholders in community development and crime reduction.

some failures

In a release to The Sunday Gleaner, USAID says while PERF's work was well received by some residents in Grants Pen, its contract was terminated due to some failures on the part of PERF.

"USAID was disappointed with their poor performance, unresponsiveness, and inability to satisfy several key requirements and terms of the grant agreement," the agency says. "This poor performance led to the issuance of a notice of partial termination citing PERF's inability to mobilise appropriate full-time personnel, unwillingness to engage operational and designated high-command JCF officers, non-compliance with USAID's requests for key project documents, and inability to account for funding received," it adds. PERF's contract ended March 31, 2006.

While murders were down, robberies and rape had increased in the community, the agency says, and according to some police officers, Grants Pen had got out of control.

Subsequent to PERF's termination, USAID says Management Systems International (MSI) was contracted to seek out, sustain and replicate successful elements of the project under a new initiative, the Community Empowerment and Transformation (COMET) project.

continued support essential

"The programme values important contributions made by the private sector and recognises that its continued support is essential to reduce crime and violence across the island," USAID states. The project has reaped benefits, it claims, and the police are also expressing confidence in the project.

Among the accomplishments claimed by USAID are:

Development of a community-policing manual; a community-policing index to measure the performance of officers and stations; and, the community-policing curriculum for pre-service and in-service training, all of which have been adopted by the JCF.

Training of 80 police officers in community-policing principles.

Hands-on street training for residents and police in community-policing methods and practices to help them work together to address crime and disorder.

USAID says the project was able to expand its influence to other communities, such Flankers in Montego Bay, and Central Village in St Catherine, and so had to move its offices from Grants Pen.

"When the project expanded, it became necessary for the project's office to be located in a neutral space not identifiable with a specific community," states USAID.

greater impact

The project will support the Jamaica Constabulary Force in rolling out its community-policing programme in 19 police divisions across Jamaica, USAID states, including the division encompassing Grants Pen. "This support allows the resources of USAID, the Government of Jamaica, and other contributors, to have greater impact by benefiting many communities, instead of only one community of 7,000 residents," the agency states.