MONTEGO BAY, September 19 (JIS): BY: NATALIA DIXON
For 20 years, Jillian Rodney has been an example of dedication, resilience and professionalism within the St. James Municipal Corporation’s Police Unit.
As the last remaining officer from the first group deployed in 2004, Ms. Rodney’s journey is a testament to her commitment to upholding public order and enforcing municipal laws.
Her career began in 2004 when she, along with 14 other officers, underwent training at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Barracks in Montego Bay. Later that year, they were deployed across the Municipality, as part of the newly established Municipal Police Unit, to assist local authorities by enforcing municipal laws.
Over the years, six more cohorts have been trained at the Twickenham Park Police Academy in St. Catherine.
Reflecting on her two decades of service, Ms. Rodney shared that the early years were challenging, as members of the public were initially resistant to the presence and authority of municipal officers.
“Persons were hesitant at us carrying out our function [and] some persons on their own don’t yield well to changes,” she pointed out.
However, she said that through persistent public education campaigns and community engagement, attitudes have gradually shifted.
The Municipal Corporation’s increased efforts in sensitisation and seminars have contributed significantly to this change.
“We’ve seen improvement because people are now more educated about the laws,” Ms. Rodney noted.
“So, we find lots of people have improved somewhat from where we started, because they are now more educated,” she added.
Ms. Rodney, fondly referred to as “Mama” by her colleagues due to her motherly nature, expressed that the key responsibility of an officer is to be patient with the public and allow them to vent their frustration.
“You have to have patience… and you have to know how to talk to people because, at times, people will say things to pull you out, and you can’t take that bait for them to pull you out; you have to be just patient,” she added.
Ms. Rodney emphasises the importance of patience, particularly when dealing with members of the public who may be frustrated or combative.
“I understand the pain, the frustration, but this is what the law is saying, and ignorance is not an excuse; you just have to do it. I allow them to vent, and if I find out in a situation where it’s going to get violent, then I call for assistance,” she explained.
Despite the challenges of working long hours in the sweltering heat of the sun and managing the emotional toll of the job, Ms. Rodney has always maintained her professionalism.
“The sun is out, and you have more aggression to deal with. Sometimes the stress and trauma that they (members of the public) put you through, that alone can wear you down, but you have to balance it, because once you’re working within the law you have to be professional,” she said.
“I have made it all through 20 years, and I have… never had any negative confrontation with any vendor or anybody,” Ms. Rodney said.
Ms. Rodney was presented with a plaque recently by the Corporation for her 20 years of dedicated service.
For his part, Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, commended Ms. Rodney for her exceptional service, noting that her contribution has raised the standard of the Municipal Police Unit in St. James.
Her years of service are appreciated by the entire Corporation. She is a phenomenal lady and has lifted the standards of the municipal police in St. James and, by extension, the Municipal Corporation,” he said.
The Mayor noted that Ms. Rodney “has imparted invaluable knowledge to her colleagues, which allowed the unit, collectively, to organise and structure responses surrounding municipal challenges”.
“We wish her all the best as she continues to execute her role with diligence and inspire a force that is needed in our city space today more than ever,” he added.
