The Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority (PCOA) says it will be increasing its engagement with the public. Speaking with JIS News, PCOA, Chief Executive Officer, Otarah Byfield, told JIS News that the objective is to build public trust and confidence in the entity’s work, and by extension, the police force. “A very critical part of building public trust and confidence is...

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as part of its ongoing COVID-19 mitigation plan has procured thermal scanners to assist with the prevention and/or detection of the virus among staff, inmates and children in its care. “In light of the growing concern to keep the virus at bay, the DCS has placed an order for 40 new digital thermal scanners...

The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulations 2020 was passed in the House of Representatives on March 24. The Regulations now give effect to the provisions of the MOCA Act, which include the establishment of MOCA as a statutory law-enforcement agency with operational independence and authority. In his address to the House, National...

The Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority (PCOA) will be expanding its audit coverage of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) though the implementation of revised inspection methods for police stations. “The audit coverage is going to be increased in terms of what we look at,” Chief Executive Officer of PCOA, Otarah Byfield, told JIS News. “We are not only going to be...

Mrs. Jacqueline Hinkson is the new Chairman of the Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA), becoming the first woman to hold the position in the 15-year-old entity. Her appointment took effect from March 1, this year. Her appointment comes in the wake of the resignation of Errol Strong as Chairman of the Authority on February 29, having served in the position...

The report from the Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act, also known as the anti-gang law, is expected to be tabled in the House of Representatives before the end of March. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, while highlighting aspects of Plan Secure Jamaica, during his contribution...

The Government invested more than $45 billion to improve the capacity and capability of the country’s security architecture during the fiscal years 2016/17 to 2019/20. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said with a further $15.9 billion budgeted for 2020/21, the Administration would have invested approximately $61 billion in national security over a five-year period. The Prime Minister, in...