Background
Launched in 2019, the Transforming Our Police Service (TOPS) programme seeks not only enhance the culture of policing in communities, but also encourage greater conformance with prescribed policies of the Jamaica Constabulary Force as well as boost the morale among police personnel. The competition also facilitates a broader objective of the PCOA to enhance the culture of policing in the community and by extension, its business community, through professionalism and police partnerships built on openness, trust and accountability. The TOPS programme is comprised of four phases: The TOPS Area Competition; The TOPS Area Award Ceremony; The Area Performance Review Meeting; and TOPS Area Re-inspection.
The Dr. Marshall Hall Award, which is named for a former PCOA Member, is presented to the division or station attaining the most improvement in the TOPS Re-inspection.
The Top Station winner is awarded a trophy and a cheque valued at $100,000, which goes towards a station project of their choice.
Subsequent to the Awards Ceremony, a performance review meeting is held with the Police Commissioner, Area Command and Divisional Commanders and PCOA Members where issues/ concerns emanating from the inspections conducted for the inspections are ventilated. Commitments for improvements are then agreed upon.
The PCOA Inspection and Monitoring Unit is then tasked to re-inspect the Area to determine if commitments are fulfilled.
So far, the programme has yielded positive results, with improvements seen in areas inspected.