Operation Intrepid Curtail launched in July 1999, placed soldiers with policemen in the heart of seven communities that were considered most prone to crime and violence. The nation expected the joint military and police operation to last a long time, because the Prime Minister had said soldiers would be deployed on the streets until all illegal weapons were captured.

Our intention was to make a real impact on the overall development of the respective communities, not just on crime statistics. The First Battalion, supported by the other units of the Force, established the standard by which we would measure the success of the operation. There was an effort to shift the usual emphasis from targeting criminals, to that of protecting the law-abiding residents of the communities. While the tally of captured weapons and persons arrested would be constantly monitored, we were also interested in seeing the communities return to a stable pattern of life.

We looked for a halt to the practice of residents evacuating their communities because of fear. This, we would regard, as a positive indicator of a reduction in the sense of insecurity and a tendency towards stability. Another indicator was citizens going about their normal legitimate activities. Complaints were closely monitored, as we knew that unless the security forces maintained a professional image, then we would not continue to enjoy the goodwill of residents, and the task would be made more difficult.

We had determined that while our troops were present in the seven communities, ‘Area Dons’ would be made redundant. This would work, if the support of residents were biased in favour of the Security Forces. Such support demanded that we establish a basis for earning legitimacy and the trust of the communities. Building trust has always been a difficult task that requires consistent demonstration of a commitment to established principles. Many soldiers and residents in the area of operation would learn that behaving with civility and showing mutual respect actually aided mission accomplishment.

It was the task of a small team, under the direction of the Battalion Headquarters, to ensure that a line of communication was kept open to residents. It was difficult to convince some residents of our sincerity in seeking to offer their communities protection from the threat of violence. Not all our troops believed that the average resident was a law-abiding citizen deserving of our respect. It was even harder to convince them that there was still love and admiration in the hearts of the majority of inner city residents, for soldiers who performed their duties professionally.

Our then Commanding Officer Lt Col Norman Tomlinson advised Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) in the area of operations, of our intention to conduct our security operations, in a manner that would support their varied programmes, and thus aid the process of community development in the inner city. Residents of Craig Town sought and obtained audience with the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Staff, to express concern about how our operations were hindering their efforts and setting back progress on a project to educate young men in the community. Our frequent curfews prevented volunteer university lecturers from entering the community to conduct classes, and left a score of young energetic men idle. Following the meeting, our mode of operation was modified, not just to allow lecturers in so classes could resume, but also to ensure a secure environment, while classes were in progress. The JDF aided further by sending engineers to clear abandoned lots in the community, to free them up for development projects.

The evacuation of residents from sections of Denham Town due to gang violence had occurred under the gaze of the Security Forces several years before. It was therefore a pleasure to oversee the reoccupation of the dwellings, during our operations. We also assisted the Denham Town Basic School in procuring and transporting stores from the Food for the Poor organization.

In the Wilton Gardens community we found a library that was started in the abandoned Hugh Sherlock Primary School by Devon "Ziggy" Beckford with overseas assistance. Again our operations ensured the sort of secure environment that would permit teachers to come in and help children with homework. We introduced officers from the Jamaica Library Service to the growing community library, and we assisted with the transportation of books, which were donated to the library, by well wishers from outside.

In Seaview Gardens, where the All Age School was used as a Command Post, residents and the principal threatened to stage a demonstration if we withdrew in early August, as the date for the reopening of school approached. When we did leave, we rendered a face-lift to sections of the school occupied by us. This we did with the assistance of the engineers. Similar paint jobs and other repairs were undertaken at other school rooms used as Command Posts at St Richards Primary, Jones Town Primary and Franklin Town Primary Schools. Our JCF counterparts and sometimes the schools themselves helped to procure the material needed.

We carried out some 11,983 specific missions up to early January 2000. Each one brought joint detachments of soldiers and policemen in close contact with citizens. Briefings to our soldiers included the following guiding principles:

a. Dress and conduct should re-enforce our image as honourable, confident, professional soldiers.

b. The principles of minimum force, acting within the law, justification of action and impartiality were to be observed.

c. Listen to people.

d. Cause a halt to manifestly illegal, unjust, indecent and immoral activities within your power.

e. Bring orderliness to bear on the situation.

Our soldiers often had only a few moments to determine how to respond to life threatening scenarios. In the vast majority of cases we could confidently say that our soldiers had made wise decisions regarding the application of force. Some of the situations they encountered necessitated the application of lethal force. We have deep regret for the controversy surrounding some cases and for the allegations of abuse of power that arose from some of our actions. We are encouraged that public complaints were few.