Cabinet Approves $21 Million Towards Legal Fees Of Five JCF Members

Cabinet has given approval for the contribution of $21 million towards the legal fees of five members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, during Wednesday’s (Jan. 20) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in St. Andrew.

She said that Cabinet also approved the establishment of an interim procedure for the management of contributions to legal expenses incurred by members of the JCF for actions taken during lawfully assigned duties, pending the finalisation of a formal policy by the Ministry of National Security.

“It is important to note that from a previous Cabinet submission it was agreed that the Government would not be directly paying the legal fees for police officers with cases before the courts but would contribute to the Legal Defence Fund for police officers,” she said.

Minister Williams explained that the fund was established under the Heads of Agreement for the contract period 2012 to 2015, which allowed for an injection of $20 million to start the fund.

Under the 2017 to 2019 Heads of Agreement between the Government and the Jamaica Police Federation, it was agreed that under the heading ‘Legal Defence Fund’ the Government was prepared to provide the necessary legal support for rank and file members brought before the courts, resulting from legal challenges arising from the execution of their duties.