Students at the Jamaica Constabulary Force Cadet Academy have attained 100% pass rates in Information Technology and Physical Education & Sports at the CSEC level.

In addition, they have earned a remarkable 98% pass rate in Human and Social Biology and 92% in English A. At the CAPE level, 93% of the Academy’s students were successful in Information Technology and its newest subject offering, Communication Studies, saw 88% of students earning a passing grade.

For the Academy’s principal, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tanecia Johnson, the recent results are evidence that the JCF Cadet Academy is changing lives. Speaking on a recent episode of the Force4Good Podcast, Johnson explained that many of the Academy’s students come from humble beginnings, and for some, being at the Cadet Academy represents a second chance after struggling to find success in the traditional school system.

Impact by changing environment

“Sometimes all it takes is a change of environment,” DSP Johnson explained whilst heaping high commendations for the Academy’s staff. According to her, “They are very diligent, very creative; they show love to the boys, they are mothers, fathers…they don’t pay attention to time. They are willing to go beyond regular work hours to invest the time and attention into the students.”

The Cadet Academy was established as part of the JCF’s youth engagement and mentorship strategy in September 2021. It caters to males aged 16 and 17. As a registered secondary institution, students are taken through the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s secondary curriculum in preparation for CXC and CAPE exams. But the students at the Cadet Academy receive more than academic instruction.

At the Cadet Academy, the priority is to help each student, and one of the ways this is achieved is through dialogue. The boys are also provided with tools and lessons designed to assist them as they transition into adulthood. 

Among these is the IPAD lesson, which encourages the boys to reflect on their Identity, Purpose, Attitude and Destiny. The Academy’s holistic approach to education is influenced by Johnson’s own experiences working with young people. 

Hours coaching and mentoring students 

A former coordinator of the National Safe Schools Program, she has spent thousands of hours coaching and mentoring students across Jamaica. She said when working in schools, students often open up to the police officers and confide in them. This allows the police to hear and see the concerns of both parents and students. 

“What some parents see as a problem is not a challenge for us here at the Academy,” DSP Johnson contended, noting that the Cadet Academy thrive because of the individual attention and love they receive from their teachers. She highlighted that the students have access to safe spaces where they can interact and speak with their teachers, creating what she described as a “home away from home.”

DSP Johnson also explained that, “at the Cadet Academy we have educators, we have our teachers, but love is central to what we do,” recalling a student whose performance at the Academy’s entrance test stunned the staff. “We had to take a little break so that the child didn’t see the tears coming out…That youngster came in…[and got] nine CXCs and two CAPE subjects. He joined the JCF and is now a serving member,” DSP Johnson said, beaming with pride.

As Johnson shared her experiences, the Academy’s approach became clear. The JCF Cadet Academy begins by understanding the individual needs of each student and providing the support they need to succeed.