The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) received a morale boost on Sunday, October 25, 2015, when Seventh-day Adventists from the more than 740 congregations pooled their financial and physical resources to renovate the working environment of police stations island-wide.
The day dubbed, “Projects Day,” forms part of the activities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica to celebrate 125 years of Adventism in Jamaica.
“As we give thanks to God for what He has allowed us to do over the past 125 years, we should give back something to the community, said Pastor Everett Brown, President of the Adventist Church in Jamaica. “The Jamaica Constabulary Force was selected as the entity that would benefit from this impact and we are pleased that today 175 police stations and posts of the JCF are being impacted by members of our Church.”
Activities undertaken by Church members included painting, landscaping, retrofitting of furniture, the handing over of equipment, plumbing and electrical work.
At the Mandeville Police Station in Manchester, the staff at Jamaica Union Conference office which is headquartered in the parish, joined forces with the Churches in that region to expand the physical structure of the station by extending the reception area, and carrying out plumbing and tiling work in the female bathroom. There was also a presentation of four wall fans and two microwaves.
“We hope that as a result of what we are doing here in Mandeville and across Jamaica, the members of the JCF will have a more pleasing and conductive environment to work in as they serve us and serve Jamaica,” added Brown.
In addition to the work that was done on October 25 and which is ongoing, the Church, through Northern Caribbean University (NCU) will offer three full four-year scholarships to rank and file members of the JCF as of August 2016.
“On behalf of the police here we welcome this work and it is highly appreciated”, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) Melvin Kerr. This will help greatly in making our work easier. The Adventist Church continues to support and partner with us and is showing that they not only offer prayers, but are able to help us physically and academically.”
The Church’s eastern region also donated much needed chairs to the Emergency Communication Department at the office of Commissioner of Police in Kingston less than a week ago.
In late September, the Adventist Church in the nation’s north east region renovated the Islington Police Station in the parish of St. Mary with painting, plumbing and electrical works. They also donated mattresses to the local JCF team.
