(Bo Halkov, 2020)

A responsibility is what we are obligated to do or what we ought to do. Just like the Constitution outlines our right as citizens we have various responsibility to carry out as well as police do.

We also have the responsibility as Jamaican citizens to:
1. To obey the law of the land: this means citizens have the responsibility to adhere to the laws that govern the land of Jamaican and to abide by such laws.
2. To pay taxes: paying taxes whether it is income tax, general consumption tax, property tax, etc.
3. To serve as a jury if called upon: once an individual is eighteen years or older and has a electoral idea they can be called upon to serve as a jury within court.
4. To defend and support the constitution: means each citizen will oversee to ensure the necessary authorities uphold the laws covered by the Constitutions.
5. To participate in the democracy process: this is linked to voting so that citizens exercise their thoughts on who to be government based on the information they would have debated from each party member (National Library of Jamaica, n.d).

As citizens of Jamaica we have the responsibility Under the Constitution Act 1962, Chapter 3, section (13) (1) Whereas – (c) all persons are under a responsibility to respect and uphold the rights of others recognized in this Chapter (The Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council, 1962, c,4, s.13)

(Kids Academy, 2019).

We tend to wonder is the only thing Jamaican Police can do is to use force and make arrest. However, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has the responsibility Under the Constabulary Force Act 1935, Part 1, section (13): Duties and Powers of the Force

The duties of the Police under this Act shall be to keep:
1. Watch by day and by night: this is why police officers don’t work from 9am to 5pm because if they aren’t on duty in the night who will there to serve and protect the country, Therefore it is the duty of the Police to watch by day and night (graveyard shift).
2. To preserve the peace; this mean to maintain order and safety for us the public to enjoy.
3. To detect crime: by through investigation to see who committed the crime, who maybe considered suspect and to find the concrete evidence if the matter is to be to brought before the court.
4. Apprehend or summon before a Justice, persons found committing any offence or whom they may reasonably.
5. Members of the Police Force may arrest without warrant in certain cases, suspect of having committed any offence, or who may be charged with having committed any offence. 6. To serve and to execute all summonses, warrants, subpoenas, notices, and criminal processes issued from any Court of Criminal Justice or by any Justice in a criminal matter and to do and perform all the duties appertaining to the office of a Constable (The Constabulary Force Act, 1935, s.13).

8. To make arrest: based on a crime committed or any suspicious reason.
9. To search property and person: where reasonable suspicion occur.
10. To control and direct traffic: as to avoid chaos.

  • (Akera Davis, 2020).

Reference