Government of Jamaica
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TPDCo Boosts Resort-Area Security with $20 Million Vehicle Investment to JCF
KINGSTON, Jamaica (October 20, 2026) – The Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have strengthened their longstanding partnership to safeguard Jamaica’s tourism spaces, following the handover of seven vehicles valued at approximately $20 million to enhance policing operations across the country’s resort areas.
The investment comprises two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), four motorcycles and one pickup truck, which will support the JCF’s Resort Areas Division by improving mobility, extending operational reach and strengthening the ability of officers to respond effectively within resort areas.
The vehicles were officially handed over during a ceremony at the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) Headquarters, 16 Lower Elletson Road, Kingston, on Tuesday, October 20, under TPDCo’s ongoing support of the JCF through the Special District Constables Programme.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, described the investment as a practical demonstration of Jamaica’s commitment to destination assurance and the safety and security systems that underpin a competitive tourism industry.
“Tourism, as we know, is built on confidence,” Minister Bartlett said, noting that visitors must have confidence that Jamaica is safe, organised, welcoming and capable of delivering on its promise as a destination. He stressed that this confidence must be earned through deliberate investments in safety, security, standards, and the visitor experience.
“This is an investment in confidence. It is an investment in destination assurance. It is an investment in public safety. And it is an investment in Jamaica’s tourism future,” he added.
Minister Bartlett also highlighted the important role of the Resort Areas Division (RAD) in Jamaica’s tourism ecosystem, noting that its officers patrol resort towns, engage visitors, support tourism operators, respond to incidents and help maintain the sense of order necessary to safeguard Jamaica’s reputation as a premier destination.
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Charmaine Shand welcomed the investment as a significant boost to the operational capacity of the Resort Areas Division.
“This handover of two all-terrain vehicles, four motorcycles and one pickup truck is a meaningful contribution to the operational capacity of the Resort Areas Division,” ACP Shand said.
She underscored the connection between national security and tourism, arguing that Jamaica’s success as a tourism destination depends not only on its attractions, culture and hospitality, but also on the assurance that residents, visitors, tourism workers and investors can enjoy a safe and secure environment.
ACP Shand said the TPDCo-JCF partnership reflects a shared understanding that protecting the tourism industry requires collaboration involving law enforcement, government agencies, tourism operators, communities, the private sector and citizens.
“The provision of these vehicles will enhance the mobility, accessibility and responsiveness of the Resort Areas Division, enabling our officers to execute their responsibilities with greater flexibility and effectiveness,” she said.
She stressed that the seven vehicles were more than additions to the JCF fleet, describing them as “instruments for extending police reach, improving operational readiness, supporting frontline personnel and strengthening the delivery of public safety services.”
According to ACP Shand, improved mobility will facilitate more strategic deployment, wider territorial coverage, greater police visibility, and more timely intervention, while supporting proactive crime prevention.
For TPDCo, Executive Director Wade Mars said the handover reflected the strength of a partnership that has served Jamaica’s tourism industry well and demonstrated the organisation’s shared commitment to keeping Jamaica’s tourism destinations safe, secure and welcoming.
“At TPDCo, we understand that destination development goes beyond physical infrastructure and visitor experiences. It also requires strong systems of support that allow residents and visitors alike to feel safe and confident in our resort communities,” Mars said.
The handover takes on added significance as TPDCo celebrates its 30th anniversary, with Mars noting that the organisation has spent three decades helping to shape, support and strengthen Jamaica’s tourism product. He added that “today’s handover is therefore very much in keeping with the legacy of TPDCo.
ACP Shand, meanwhile, encouraged the Resort Areas Division to translate the investment into measurable operational benefits through disciplined deployment, purposeful engagement and continued attention to the security concerns of both visitors and residents.
She reaffirmed the JCF’s commitment to working alongside TPDCo and other stakeholders to protect Jamaica’s tourism spaces, strengthen public confidence and ensure that the safety of residents and visitors remains a shared priority.
Caption:
From left, TPDCo Executive Director Wade Mars; Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett; and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shand share a moment during the TPDCo/JCF vehicle handover. The initiative underscores the partnership between the tourism sector and the JCF in strengthening public safety and supporting a safer environment for Jamaicans and visitors.
Caption:
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shand sit aboard two of the motorcycles presented to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), as TPDCo Executive Director Wade Mars and Senior Superintendent Lloyd Darby, Commanding Officer for the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, look on.
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For further information on these developments, please contact:
Marline Stephenson Dalley
Coordinator, Corporate Communications and Community Awareness
Tourism Product Development Company Limited
Email: marline.stephenson@tpdco.org
Tel: 876 550 0733