Annotto Bay Residents Praise Constable Marlon Garriques for Community Safety Work

ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — In this north-east town, many residents say Constable Marlon Garriques is far more than a uniformed officer, describing him as someone who helps settle conflicts and guide people in daily life.

A shopkeeper, who gave her name only as Beryl, said Garriques is deeply woven into community life. “Constable Garriques doesn’t just police the community, he’s part of it,” she said. “If there’s a dispute, he’s the first person people call. If there’s a school event, he’s there. He makes us feel safe, knowing that we can call upon a police officer any time,” she added.

Garriques was born in St Catherine and said his outlook was shaped by his father, who also served as a police officer. That influence, residents say, can be seen in how he works among people in St Mary, the parish where he has built his career.

His recent promotion in zone two of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch (CSSB) followed years of work at community level. Garriques, a graduate of Jamaica Theological Seminary, said his commitment to policing remains as strong now as when he entered the JCF 14 years ago.

He began service in Port Maria, spending his first year in the traffic department. After that posting, he moved to Prospect Police Station, where he worked for four years. In 2016, he was reassigned to Annotto Bay Police Station, where he expanded his community-focused efforts.

Over time, he has become known for regular foot patrols, calling residents by name, and intervening early in disputes before they flare up. Young men in the area have called him a “big brother” in uniform, saying his mentorship and follow-up helped them avoid criminal activity.

One 22-year-old man from Annotto Bay, who asked not to be identified, said Garriques played a direct role in changing his path. “He talked to us, got us into skills training, checked on us,” he said. “He’s the reason I am working now and not in trouble,” the young man added.

Business operators in the town also credited the CSSB for reducing friction in communities once troubled by high levels of violence. Garriques said his assignment to Annotto Bay came at the right time for intervention-focused policing. “It was like divine intervention when I was placed here. These communities needed presence, not just policing. We are not finished yet, we are working towards more intervention, more prevention,” Garriques vowed.