Wesrok Hails Jamaica Constabulary Force As An “Honourable Institution”

Reggae-country singer Wesrok, who served for two decades in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and rose to the rank of Superintendent, has described the policing body as a noble institution that helped him escape rural poverty.

Speaking in an interview with DancehallMag following his performance at Reggae Sumfest, Wesrok reflected on his stint in the JCF and shared his thoughts on its current state.

“I served almost 20 years in the JCF. And I must say this: it’s an honourable institution. Most of what I’ve been through and what I have today is as a result of the JCF. So I just want to big up the JCF, yeah? The JCF has helped me to escape from rural poverty,” Wesrok explained.

The St. Catherine native, whose given name is Percival Buddan, described the challenges of growing up in an environment with limited opportunities but also noted that his drive and success must be attributed to his mother, who emphasized the importance of education and self-belief.

“Because in the country in St. Catherine where I grew up, there was nothing. So I had to find a way to get out of the country to go to Kingston and to seek for the opportunities. But there was this inner seed that was sown by my mother to say, ‘education is first, and the sky’s the limit’. Once you can conceive it, you can do it. And so, here I am,” the Try to Hold Me singer explained.

Reflecting further on his policing career, Wesrok highlighted his rise through the ranks of the JCF, which culminated in his position as a Superintendent, adding that because of this, he was also offay with the complex relationship between the police and the public.

“I came up through the ranks. I know everything. I know the ins and the outs. And I know all the challenges that the JCF goes through. And I know all about the challenges that citizens go through,” he stated.

Wesrok noted that the JCF has evolved since his tenure, particularly in its approach to promotions and the type of officers it seeks to recruit.

“But I just want to say that the JCF now, is certainly a little different from in my time. In my time, you really had to work for that kind of promotion. And it took some people many years to get a promotion. The transition now is that, you know, we’re looking for a new breed of police officers. Someone who is a little younger and who can think a little smarter. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is always correct that way, you know? So it’s two different dispensations,” he added.

The former cop also encouraged current officers to maintain their integrity and continue serving with dedication.

“And I just want to encourage every police officer to just continue to do your good and don’t fall for anything that is bad,” he said.

The Perfectly Imperfect singer joins Cheerleader singer OMI, as ex-police officers who have excelled in music and whom have credited the JCF for contributing to their success.

In November 2022, OMI, whose given name is Omar Pasley, was presented with a Special Award by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for his “consistent public advocacy, and selfless devotion to the mission and work of the organization” and being a “source of inspiration and pride” for police officers.

At the time OMI, like Wesrok, had also refered to the JCF as a “noble organisation”.

“During my time here, I would have adopted the attributes of a good constable. These are attributes I took with me throughout all my endeavours, including but not limited to music…,” the singer had said.

“I was a policeman for three years, 10 months and 13 days and I treasure those moments… I could never bash the force because the experiences there taught me so much and helped to equip me for my journey ahead. The lessons that I learnt at the university called the JCF have carried me through life and here I am now being honoured by the force. It is a wonderful feeling,” OMI who served at the motorized patrol division during his tenure had stated.

The JCF, in its citation to Omi, had expressed delight at the superstar’s musical tribute Serve and Protect, a song named after the mission statement of the JCF, which was written and recorded by him back in 2019.

The Constabulary had noted in its citation that “amidst his incredible rise, and success as an artiste, an exponent of the genres of Reggae, Pop and Reggae Fusion, Omi has never forgotten his roots and the JCF and the grounding and moulding he received in the force”.

OMI

“Omi has been a constant advocate and voice for the JCF, a bright light in an island renowned for its irresponsible cultural music, but which in some places, has been menacingly defiant of police law enforcement. In this regard, Omi saluted the work of the men and the women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 2019 with the penning and release of To Serve and Protect, a brilliant essay on the necessity of the JCF to the life and well-being of the nation,” it added.

The citation had also said further that “OMI has described To Serve and Protect as his lived journey and that he was inspired by his experiences in the police force to write and perform the song, to capture the daily sacrifices of the members of the JCF, and to positively influence the community and the nation”.

Nevertheless, the JCF said his stint proved to be a “formative period of personal development, which prepared him well for fame and glamour of the world of music and entertainment, as a popular recording artiste known to the world as Omi”.

“Omar Pasley applied the knowledge and discipline of his time of training at the National Police College of Jamaica to carry out his duties as a constable of police with dignified poise and consistent respect for all,” the citation noted.