In 1954 Jamaica like any other country had its problems with youth population. Youth unemployment was always a sore point; as a result there were increase criminal activities among youth.

 

In that same year Mr. Basil Ferguson a Social Worker and the Secretary for the Hanover Youth Council recognized that youths in that area were converging on the corners and in the streets engaging themselves in unlawful activities. He was concerned and felt that they should engage themselves in something meaningful. At that time the Police and the young people did not have a good relationship. Mr. Basil Ferguson approached Mr. Emerald Matthews who was stationed at the Sandy Bay Police Station, with the idea of starting a Police Youth Club in the Sandy Bay area.

 

The then Commissioner of Police, Col. R. T. Mitchelin became concerned about the increase violence, and held a conference with his top aide to find a way to control the youths and channel their energies into meaningful activities. Out of this meeting came island wide acceptance of the Police Youth Club.

 

The first Police Youth Club was formed in 1954 by Mr. Basil Ferguson and Cpl. Everald Matthews who became the first Police Youth Club Leader. Other Clubs were also formed in Lucea, Kings Vale and Green Island in the same Parish.

In the same year, Commissioner Mitchelin and Mr. S. N. Shoucair, J.P., a city merchant officially launched in the Corporate Area a Police Youth Club at the Central Police Station Canteen on East Street.

 

Police Youth Clubs began to spread all over the Island and by 1968 six­teen clubs were in existence with six (6) in the Corporate Area. These Clubs were supervised by Inspector R. L. Miller who was the Island Supervisor. Leadership of the Clubs was done by Police personnel on a voluntary basis.

 

In 1972, the Police Relations Division was established and Police Youth Clubs were supervised under that Division. Under the leadership of Mr. Barry Cross, Assistant Superintendent of Police the officer in charge of the Division, clubs were better organized and programmes formulated to benefit young people. Great emphasis was placed on the development of the youths and Police Youth Clubs

In 1974 the number rose to 104 island wide. The Clubs were placed in areas for competitions. To date the total numbers of clubs are 500 island wide.

 

SOURCE: PYC Handbook Publish 2009