The Resort Areas Division is one of six divisions under the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB).
Officially launched on August 29, 2018, its origins trace back to 2016 under the name Visitor Safety and Tourism Programme (VSTP). It was established through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Security and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) to enhance safety and security within Jamaica’s tourism sector.
The Resort Areas Division is tasked with safeguarding Jamaica’s tourism product by delivering proactive policing, public order management, and security oversight across key tourist destinations.
Its core functions include:
- Security inspections of tourism entities (hotels, villas, guest houses, attractions, and craft markets) as part of the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) licensing requirements.
- Monitoring cruise shipping terminals and providing high-visibility patrols to ensure the safety of visitors during arrival and departure.
- Protecting tourists from harassment by unauthorised vendors, drug peddlers and solicitors.
- Gathering and reporting information on crimes, accidents, and incidents involving foreign nationals to relevant government agencies, embassies, and high commissions.
The Resort Areas Division operates in the parishes of St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, Westmoreland, Portland, St. Elizabeth, and Kingston.
- Located: Office #3, Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Ocho Rios, St. Ann
- Contact: 876-974-1441, 876-974- 7705
- Email: resortareasdiv@jcf.gov.jm