Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says sixty tactical officers are to be deployed to the Area One police in short order.

This, as western parishes account for over 50% of murders recorded in the country since the start of the year.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, as at Sunday, June 5, St. James recorded 104 murders, followed by Westmoreland with 63.

Speaking at a media briefing hosted by the Constabulary yesterday (June 7), Commissioner Anderson said the officers will boost significantly, the Force’s capacity to respond to the challenges being faced in western parishes.

He said the officers should be deployed within the coming weeks.

The Police Commissioner said the officers will undergo advanced tactical training.

Meantime, the police are projecting a decrease in murders at the end of June in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

While noting that murders increased by 6% in May, in comparison to the corresponding period last year, Major General Anderson said with the commendable work of his officers, he expects that this will trend down.

He added that more guns and ammunition have been seized this year compared to the same period, last year.