Constable Marvin Franklin shows off the Police Officer of the Year trophy during the Lasco-sponsored award ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston hotel in St Andrew yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Marvin Franklin became the first constable to cop the Lasco Police Officer of the Year Award, and believes his humble upbringing in Esher district in Highgate, St Mary, moulded him into what he is today.

"It was a challenge while growing up because I am from a very humble background, but I made the best use of my opportunities for school. I was one of those persons who didn't have it to attend school; I was one of those persons who didn't have lunch money, and I was one of those persons who had to wash my khaki to wear it to school the next day."

The 24-year-old, who has been serving in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for a little more than five years, was chosen yesterday over nine of his peers.

Community-based policing

The 2004 St Catherine North Division Lasco Rookie of the Year was recognised by the selection panel, largely for his work in community-based policing in his division of St Catherine North.

He said he was driven to serve in the JCF because, in his community, he was looked up to because of his achievements at his alma mater - St Mary Technical High School - where he was head boy.

A school resource officer at the Innswood High School in Spanish Town, Franklin was instrumental in the formation of the St Catherine North Inter-Schools Brigade, which was rated by the Ministry of Education in 2005 as one of the best youth programmes in the island.

"This programme would take youngsters who displayed high antisocial behaviour and we would have behaviour modification for them," he said. "We would take them on outings, to trips; it was something similar to the Boy Scouts, and we realised that they loved it."

The programme has now been extended to become the National Inter-Schools Brigade.

His third form teacher at high school, Patricia Husey, was there to support another finalist and was pleasantly surprised to see Marvin among them. However, deep down she knew he would be among the top three present.

"Marvin was a very humble, disciplined and attentive student. Marvin was very focused while he was at St Mary Technical High School," she said.

Franklin encouraged his peers to work hard, as they would be rewarded, and asked Jamaicans to support the JCF as they battle crime.