Breaking barriers: Trelawny welcomes first female constables to Quick Response Team

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Two female police constables have made history as the first women to join the Trelawny Division’s Quick Response (QR) Team after completing specialised motorcycle training. According to the Trelawny police, Constables Deanna Ricketts, who has served in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for three years, and Brianna Eccleston, a two-year veteran of the force, recently completed the training to take up their new assignments. The QR Team uses motorcycles to respond swiftly to incidents, particularly in congested and rural communities where traffic and road conditions can delay police response. Ricketts described her journey in the JCF as challenging but rewarding, noting that joining the team represents another milestone in her professional development. “It is not about proving that women are better than men. It is about showing that women are capable and should be willing to step forward and take on challenging roles,” she said. Eccleston said she pursued the training to broaden her capabilities and improve her ability to serve the public. She noted that motorcycles could help officers reach communities more quickly when time is critical. She identified the serpentine exercise, which requires riders to manoeuvre through a series of turns while maintaining balance and control, as one of the most difficult aspects of the training. However, she said overcoming the challenge helped to build her confidence. “Joining the Quick Response Team as a female officer shows that service, speed and skill aren’t limited by gender,” Eccleston said. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting to people faster and helping when it matters most.” The constables are expected to support the team’s operational activities, using their motorcycle skills to improve access to incidents and communities. Both officers encouraged other women in the JCF to pursue specialised roles, arguing that gender should not prevent them from taking on demanding assignments. The division recorded seven murders up to October 11, three fewer than the 10 reported over the corresponding period last year.