Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday launched its new community policing project, estimated to cost US$6.9 million over the next four years.
Awarded to a United States-based contractor at the end of February, USAID said the successful bidder was selected for having the most experience in the area of building civil partnerships.
The project will be guided by USAID's five-year 2005-2009 strategy that aims to 'improve governance through citizen security and participation'.
AIMING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
According to USAID, "This five-year democracy and governance strategy is a cross-cutting mission strategy that aims to address good governance issues that will support efforts to reduce crime and violence and strengthen economic competitiveness in Jamaica."
The project aims to build on the work of the USAID-funded Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in Grants Pen, St. Andrew. Beginning in 2001, the Washington-based organisation was commissioned to help build community-police relations, which included the construction of a US$3.5 million model police station in that community.
The station incorporates the Edna Manley Health Centre, a post office, Internet cafe, Paymaster outlet, community meeting room and automated teller machine.
According to Superintendent of Police, Assan Thompson, PERF's work contributed to 11 fewer murders in the division for the first two months of the year, compared to the corresponding period in 2005.
