Recently installed Minister of National Security, Robert Montague, has expressed alarm at the deplorable conditions under which members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) carry out their duties at several police stations in the parish of Westmoreland.

Speaking on Monday evening at a town hall meeting held at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland, following a tour of the Savanna-la-mar Police Station, Montague underscored his commitment to enhance JCF facilities in the parish.

“I visited the Savanna-la-Mar Police Station today (Monday) and in many ways I was shocked. I went into the barracks, and I wouldn’t sleep there. And if I wouldn’t sleep there, I don’t expect a police officer to sleep there. I therefore asked that immediately, the permanent secretary (Major General Stewart Saunders) is to order three mattresses to fit the three beds that I saw in there, because what I saw in there is not fit for a police officer to sleep on. And I want to come here one day and sleep in that barracks. So PS [permanent secretary], make sure before Courts [furniture store] opens tomorrow [Tuesday] morning,” Montague remarked.

But, Montague told the gathering that the less than desirable conditions of the barracks were not the only matter he was moving to address at the state-run facility.

“I went into the police station and there was no provision for a policeman or woman who have finished their duty to warm a cup of tea, and so I have asked the PS to make sure tomorrow that there is a kettle at the Savanna-la-mar Police Station,” he emphasised.

Added Montague: “I asked for the bathroom that members of the public would use and was told, that that bathroom, I don’t have to use it. It is for members of the public to use. But I am a member of the public. And the bathroom was generally clean, I must tell you, very clean, but the two toilets needed toilet seats and a toilet tank cover, and I have instructed the permanent secretary to get them in place.”

He added that he also mandated the permanent secretary to purchase two air condition units to be installed in the conference room at the Savanna-la-mar facility.

Among the other items he has asked the permanent secretary to purchase are: a water tank for the Bethel Town Police Station; two beds for the Darliston Police Station, and chairs for the Whitehouse Police Station, which is without “office chairs.”

“And the Whithorn Police Station is without a microwave (oven), the one that is there is not working. PS, they need a microwave. What I have laid out there is not a whole heap of money, not a whole heap of money. What it needs is a will and a caring heart for the men and women that protect and serve us,” the recently sworn- in minister of security reasoned.

“My office don’t need a microwave, but they (policemen at the Whithorn station) need a microwave. If at two o’ clock in the morning when their shift is finished and they need a warm cup of tea, they must be able to get a warm cup of tea. These are the little things we must do to say to the police men and women we appreciate the work that you do.”

Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams who was also in attendance at the meeting, lamented the poor state of some of the facilities, as he lauded the security minister for his commitment to improve them.

“Some of the facilities are in such poor state that I have very little hope for them. In fact, just a little while ago the minister went to the Savanna-la-mar Police station and I like the way how the minister got to work immediately. Immediately as he got there (Savanna-la-mar) he walked around the place and he identified some issues that needed to be dealt with, and right away he started to ask his staff to make a note of the toilet that was without the seat, the areas that were in poor state of repairs etcetera, etcetera, and he has committed to dealing with them at the Savanna-la-mar station. This is the first official stop for the minister and I believe that as he goes around the country and identify other areas that are in need of attention, he will act as he did at Savanna-la-mar,” the police commissioner argued.

The meeting was the first of several expected to be hosted across the country by the new security ministry.