LASCO continues call to celebrate everyday heroes as nominations open

The LASCO Chin Foundation, in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), has officially opened nominations for the 2025 Saluting Our Heroes Awards – the nation’s premier programme recognising police officers who embody integrity, leadership, and community service.

For more than two decades, LASCO has used the platform to spotlight officers whose impact goes beyond enforcement to mentorship, youth outreach, and bridge-building in their communities. The 2025 ceremony, scheduled for October 24 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, comes at a pivotal time; recent JCF data points to a decline in major crime rates, signalling that effective strategies are beginning to reshape public safety.

Formerly called the Police Officer of the Year Awards, Saluting Our Heroes reflects a broader vision. Its criteria highlight not only professionalism and spotless disciplinary records, but also meaningful contributions to youth development and community engagement initiatives. The nominees should also be knowledgeable of the work of the LASCO Chin Foundation and its recognition programmes. Nominations will be evaluated by a joint panel from the LASCO Chin Foundation and the JCF, with finalists selected based on their service impact and leadership.

The divisional selections were completed on September 19, with the area selection to be finalised by September 30. Forms can be accessed online or at any JCF Community Safety & Security Branch office islandwide.

Professor Rosalea Hamilton, CEO of the LASCO Chin Foundation, emphasised the importance of continuing to celebrate those who serve with distinction.

“The Saluting Our Heroes Awards serve as an important platform to honour the men and women of the JCF who are making a meaningful difference every day – through mentorship, innovation, and courage. As the Force evolves and crime rates decline, amplifying these stories is essential, as they set the benchmark for what Jamaica expects from its protectors. These awards continue to shine a spotlight on the people, quality, technology, and, above all, the work ethic Jamaica needs to thrive,” Hamilton said.

The ripple effect of the awards is undeniable. Past honourees have gone on to launch youth programmes, lead community initiatives, and inspire younger recruits. Many describe the recognition not as the culmination of their careers, but as a call to serve with greater purpose.

When the spotlights turn on the podium inside The Jamaica Pegasus on October 24, the foundation’s annual salute will again double as a reflection of Jamaica’s progress under the theme ‘Transforming through People, Quality, and Technology (PQT): Celebrating Our Heroes’.

By embedding recognition into its broader mission, alongside initiatives that celebrate excellence in education and healthcare, the LASCO Chin Foundation is reshaping how we view national service. The message is clear: The heroes who safeguard Jamaica’s future are not only on patrol, they are in classrooms, community centres, and youth clubs – inspiring hope and forging bonds that endure far beyond any single shift.