JFJ says welfare of JCF members must be a priority

Human rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), is calling for  more to be provided for the welfare of  members of  the Jamaica Constabulary Force. 

This follows Friday's killing of  Constable Leighton Hanson on Constant Spring Road in St Andrew. Hanson was apprehending a man when he was shot in the head.

 Advocacy Manager at JFJ, Rodje Malcolm, in an interview with RJR News said the welfare of members of the force is "essential to security".

In a statement on Saturday, JFJ said the incident brings into sharp focus the high-stress environment in which many police officers work and the need for adequate psycho-social support systems for them.

The human rights lobby group is urging the Police High Command and the government to give more support to the well-being of  police officers on and off  duty in particular their working conditions, physical safety, and stress management.

JFJ says these must be among the priorities for Police Commissioner George Quallo.