An international study has found that a quarter of Jamaicans do not trust the police. The 2014 study that was done by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) asked Jamaicans to what extent they trusted members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Jamaicans were asked to rate their level of trust on a scale from one to seven, with one being not at all and seven being a lot.

More than half of the respondents gave responses of between one and three, showing they had a low level of trust in the police.

And, more than a quarter of Jamaicans said they don't trust the police at all.

Meanwhile, the same study reveals that half of the population sees security as the main problem for the country.

The study says that although crime is a notes problem, it is unevenly spread across communities and has increased fear in areas where crime is new.

Symbol of safety

Olivia Maxwell, a resident of St Catherine, says that in her area, the police are welcome. She believes that persons still trust the police.

"I believe in many specific and geographical areas of Jamaica the police is not trusted. But many Jamaicans still view the police as a symbol of safety. We still approach them with questions because they are safer than the average person on the street. The majority of people still trust the members of the JCF," she said.

However, freelance writer Roxroy Mclean, took a different view.

"Yes, I do believe that Jamaicans, local and abroad, have no trust in the police, and this is for a number of reasons. One, Jamaicans find it hard to confide in the police because even some of the said policemen conform to a certain ideology. Also, many Jamaicans are of the view that the police are not as enthused about crime fighting as they ought to be. Jamaicans also believe that the police force isn't fully equipped to fight crime effectively," he said.

Commenting on the issue, head of the St Andrew Central police Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey said that although he was not aware of the study, other studies have pointed to the contrary.

"There are other studies that might say things differently. I can say that the trust of the police by the citizens have increased significantly when you look at where we are coming from. There are studies that have shown that there is a significant improvement in the trust.,

Yes, I do believe that Jamaicans, local and abroad, have no

trust in the police, and this is for a number of reasons. One, Jamaicans find it hard to confide in the police because even some of the said policemen conform to a certain ideology.