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JAMAICA: Police Increasing Use of Technology to Arrest Crime

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#Kingston, August 6, 2018 – Jamaica – Within the next three years, Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) personnel will be using more technological solutions in their daily operations in a bid to reduce incidents of crime and their likely occurrence.

Some of the technology-based software tools being developed, which should become fully operational by 2021, include: Jampol Stats; JCF Docs application; the QR Code; and Station Records Management System.  These are designed to support the National Security Ministry’s focus on situational prevention under the comprehensive five-pillar crime prevention and reduction strategy.

The Ministry’s Senior Director, Modernization Initiatives and Strategic Projects, Arvel Grant, tells JIS News that Jampol Stats will overlay the JCF’s historical statistics on a geographic information system (GIS) map of Jamaica.

A GIS is designed to capture, store, analyse, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.  He says this is being integrated with other socioeconomic and critical data that will help with research, to enable more predictive and preventative policing.

“It will also be a performance management system, so that they can zoom in on the crime and other relevant details, not just in a police division, but (at the) street and community levels and do comparisons over the years. That is one of the main (aspects) of the e-policing system,” he outlines

Mr. Grant says the JCF Docs application is a database of all the documents police officers may need in the field. These include a book of rules, the Laws of Jamaica, and the Use of Force guidelines.

“Overall, (it will) empower the police officers so they have access to that critical organisational information at any time and on any internet-connected device.  The idea behind this is to give them access to information, and allow them to increase their knowledge and make better decisions in the field,” he informs.

Mr. Grant says QR Code, which has been rebranded smart phone policing, will, among other things, allow officers to retrieve information while they are in the field.  This, he points out, will facilitate better situational awareness and overall information to guide their activities.

“With this application, when they are out in the field, whether they are on patrol or investigating, they can collect data, (including) GIS-related data, mapping where exactly the incident took place; that is a portal into Jampol Stats.  So the data that is collected, pictures that are taken, any type of data that can be collected from the smart phone will then be fed directly into the Jampol Stats platform to give a better overall analysis,” the Senior Director adds.

Mr. Grant says the Station Records Management System is geared towards organizing police data in electronic format.  He notes that there are several processes within the operations of a typical police station and the wider JCF, which are currently paper-based for various reasons.

“The station records management is computerising all of that… putting into electronic format all the data that is related to management.  These include (officers) assigned to patrol, information gathered while on patrol, and attendance and duty registers,” he expounds.

Mr. Grant advises that training will be provided for members in the effective use of features, such as the Station Record Management System.  He adds that others, like the JCF Docs and QR Codes, “will depend on where they (officers) are tasked within the police force.”

The Senior Director says the Ministry recognises the complexity of criminality in the 21st century and is, therefore, taking a technologically-driven approach to arrest the issue while revolutionising policing in Jamaica.  He further points out that significant research and benchmarking was undertaken to analyse how the JCF operates and the type of technology-based tools being used locally and internationally.  Mr. Grant tells JIS News that the applications, which are being developed by a number of the JCF’s members, will be rolled out incrementally.

“These projects are high priority and the persons working on them… have been very committed and are all on board in terms of getting these tools to a space that they are out there in the field and are readily being utilised right throughout the JCF,” he states.

Mr. Grant further notes that the solutions are expected to assist in linking criminals to the crimes they have committed, and anticipates that this will be particularly effective where criminals have been migrating from one police division to another.

“Paper based records are (challenging in performing) a timely and effective analysis. Therefore putting the information into a computer-based system will allow us to track that type of criminality, even where it migrates,” he points out.

The Senior Director adds that: “the overall goal is the reduction of all crimes; and the way that these technology-based software and tools will achieve that is to focus on the deployment of the policing resources to where crimes are occurring and, importantly, to where they are likely to occur. That type of analysis will allow us to establish the trend over time and be more preventative.”

Some technological solutions already being used by the Ministry include the ‘Stay Alert’ application, ‘JamaicaEye’ initiative, and ‘WhatsApp’.  The Stay Alert crime-fighting mechanism has a panic mode which, when activated, notifies the police that the user is in an emergency situation and requires assistance. It also facilitates the reporting of incidents.   The app, which was launched in February 2015, is free of cost and has over 130,000, downloads.

The JCF started using WhatsApp to tackle the sexual exploitation of children via social media. The number is 876-564-6840.

JamaicaEye will network all closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras owned by the Ministry as well as accommodate feeds from private operators.

 

By: Chris Patterson

Release: JIS

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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