Jamaica Strengthens National Capacity to Disrupt Illegal Supply of Guns

A show of unity in the fight against illicit supply of weapons as demonstrated by: (from left) Richard Troupe, Director, Safety and Security in Schools in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information; UNDP Resident Representative, Dr Kishan Khoday; United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu; and Delroy Simpson, Chief Technical Director, Security Risk Reform and Transformation Policy Division in the Ministry of National Security.

Introduction to the Project

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government has strengthened the national capacity to disrupt the illegal supply of guns and to address the roots of violence in schools and communities, with the support of a US$750 000 joint United Nations (UN) intervention.

The project, implemented over three years in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, the Reducing Small Arms & Light Weapons in Jamaica joint program (SALIENT Jamaica), used an integrated partnership model to address gun proliferation.

Background and Objectives

The authorities say that 80 percent of Jamaica’s crimes are committed with small arms and light weapons. SALIENT Jamaica, coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office over two phases running from 2022 to 2025, is funded by the governments of Finland, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland, with lead implementation by UNDP. The program was jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Regional Centre for Peace,

Key Achievements and Outcomes

Speaking at the project closeout ceremony, Delroy Simpson, Chief Technical Director of the Security Risk Reform and Transformation Policy Division in the Ministry of National Security, credited SALIENT for contributing to a more thorough approach to small arms control in Jamaica.

He said that since implementation, the ministry has made “significant strides,” including enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and border security officials to detect and interdict firearms and ammunition at Jamaica’s port of entry.

He also reported success in developing a national firearms control strategy and a National Schools Firearm Firearms Management and Response Protocol, conducting legislative reviews related to firearms, their parts and ammunition, gunpowder, and explosives, and conducting Jamaica’s first violence audits in the communities of Denham Town, Norwood, Savanna-la-Mar, and Fairfield.

“This program is not to be seen as just another activity. It is a commitment to our children, our families, and our future, a commitment to strengthening our capacity to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms while addressing the root causes of armed violence that have plagued our society for far too long,” Simpson stated.

Partnerships and Collaborations

UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kishan Khoday said that partnerships had strengthened the regulatory framework governing weapon supplies and built the expert capacities of 60 law enforcement officials to disrupt the illegal importation of weapons at transit points.

He said the partnerships have also built the capacities of 50 law enforcement officials in advanced targeting and criminal analysis, generated essential data and recommendations for dismantling community violence, and fostered promising signs of behavioral change among students in select schools.

“By linking education reform, youth empowerment, violence prevention, and policy engagement, the SALIENT partnership has addressed both the symptoms and root causes of gun violence.

“The SALIENT Joint program reflects a strategic approach to leveraging partnerships in advancing evidence-based policies and strategies. Furthermore, it represents a perfect alignment of the strategic philosophies of the UN team and the government of Jamaica, rooted in an integrated approach to citizen security,” Khoday said.

Legacy and Future Directions

UN Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu said SALIENT wasn’t just a national effort but a vital piece of the UN’s global peace and security agenda, reflecting the UN’s strategic shift toward prevention, peacebuilding, and people-centered approaches.

He referred to SALIENT as a vital piece of the UN’s global peace and security agenda, reflecting the UN’s strategic shift toward prevention, peacebuilding, and people-centered approaches.

“As we bring this chapter to a close, I urge us to see it not as an end but as a foundation. The tools we developed, the networks we built, and the innovations we introduced must now be scaled, sustained, and embedded within Jamaica’s national strategies and development pathways,” Zulu said.

Sustainability and Replication

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) senior project economist, Shashion Thomas, called for the continued programming of government and development partner resources to sustain, replicate, and upscale the Salient project’s results.

Thomas said there is a need to expand capacity building in schools and the security system and to draw lessons from knowledge products and studies to guide the development of future initiatives.

“The PIOJ remains committed to supporting, advising, and convening roles in ensuring sustainable partnerships that continue to contribute to Jamaica’s development priorities,” she said.

Conclusion

The Director of Safety and Security in Schools in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, Richard Troupe, applauded the development of the National Schools Firearm Firearms Management and Response Protocol and committed to developing implementation plans supported by budget.

He also lauded the peacebuilding interventions in select schools for utilizing the visual and performing arts as vehicles to engage the nation’s children around the issues of guns and violence.

These interventions strengthened the capacity of 140 educators to manage student social-emotional development and the capacity of 70 youth in conflict resolution, both of which aimed to prevent armed violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SALIENT Jamaica?

SALIENT Jamaica is a joint program aimed at reducing small arms and light weapons in Jamaica, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Regional Centre for Peace.

What are the main objectives of SALIENT Jamaica?

The main objectives of SALIENT Jamaica are to disrupt the illegal supply of guns, address the roots of violence in schools and communities, and strengthen the national capacity to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms.

Who are the partners involved in SALIENT Jamaica?

The partners involved in SALIENT Jamaica include the government of Jamaica, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Regional Centre for Peace, and several international donors, including Finland, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland.