Advanced Training for Police Officers

The Ministry of National Security is in talks with the Moneague College towards establishing a faculty for the advanced training of police officers.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 12.

He informed that the Ministry recently engaged the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) for the training of marine police to the required level.

Dr. Chang said the training is in an effort to retain more bright young people in the force.

He noted that the ratio of gazetted officers in the JCF is three per cent, which is less than the global average, with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) standing at eight per cent.

He said research shows that modern police forces require between 10 and 15 per cent and in some cases, even 20 per cent of gazetted officers for sound leadership and accountability.

“Change in the police force’s structure to increase this ratio would allow for the elimination of contention concerning promotions. If we were to change this figure to nine per cent, it would provide at least 600 spaces to bright, young Jamaican men and women to be promoted to gazetted ranks and significantly reduce the potential for attrition,” Dr. Chang said.

He added that as part of the organisational renewal, the Commissioner of Police will be critically examining skill sets, with recognition that promotions and advancement within the organisation will be based on these skills and abilities.

“We will place emphasis on officer training and retention, as this is the framework on which the new national police service will operate,” the National Security Minister said.