Holness blames ‘PNPism’ for breakdown in law and order

Jamaica Labour Party leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness has blamed the opposition People's National Party (PNP) for the perceived breakdown in respect between Jamaicans and the police, claiming this is a result of the introduction of “PNPism” into the Jamaican culture.

Speaking at the Manchester High School on Sunday, where Member of Parliament Rhoda Moy Crawford staged her Manchester Central constituency conference, Holness said the breakdown in respect between citizens and the police did not happen overnight. 

“[It is] a breakdown of all systems, values and respect for authority and institutions, that is PNPism,” he said, adding this will take some time to be corrected.

The Independent Commission of Investigations said for the period January to March 2024, it received 323 categories of complaints from 250 incidents reported. The top five categories of complaints include: assault (115), discharge of firearm (64), fatal shooting (31)*, unprofessional conduct (16), and shooting injury (15). 

At the same time, Holness acknowledged residents' concerns amid what he said is an upsurge in crime in Manchester and specifically in the constituency.

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Between January 1 and November 2 this year, Manchester recorded a 16.2 per cent increase in murders, compared to the same period last year. Shootings also went up by 12 per cent. However, there has been a decline in all other major crimes in the parish.

Still, Holness said nationally, all major crimes are down.

He singled out murders, reporting a 20 per cent reduction, but noted that some Jamaicans still hold the view that crime is out of control.

This, he said, is understandable.

Holness said the JLP Government has, since 2016, more than tripled the budget and spend on national security.

“What we have spent on national security since 2016 surpasses the entire national security budget for the last 30 years. That is what accounts for the persistent reduction in all crimes and the reduction in murders,” said Holness.

He said his government has invested in transforming the police force, specifically its equipment, technology, and training systems.

“It's not perfect but it is better now than under the PNP,” he said, adding that there has also been an increase in the size of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and a decrease in its attrition rate.

“These things take some time before you are going to see all the benefits facing you. When you are in the middle of Mandeville and you see two taxi men and a policeman get into confrontation, we want to change that. We want to ensure that all the changes that we are making to the systems in the police force makes its way to the average policeman – the constable on the beat dealing with you the citizen,” said Holness.

“That is what we are working on so that you feel like the police is on your side. That they respect you always in whatever happens and at the same time that when you get into a confrontation with the police you have respect for the law.”

- Kimone Francis