Executive Director of the National Security Policy Coordination Unit (NSPCU) in the Cabinet Office, Jacinth Byles, has recommended increased use of technology to further safeguard Jamaica’s borders. Among the inputs being proposed are biometric identification, aerial and land-based surveillance and detection, port and shoreline security, and cargo security. She has contended that if law enforcement and other relevant state agencies...

Cabinet has given approval for the amendment of a section of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which will give the Commissioner of Lands the power to take all necessary action for the State to have ownership of seized property. Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addressing a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, today...

The Probation Aftercare Officers’ Staff Association has signed the Heads of Agreement with the Government for the 2015/2017 contract period. Under the two-year agreement, the officers will receive a four per cent salary increase for year one and three per cent in year two. Included in the package is $2 million for the continuing professional development of probation aftercare officers....

The Government is conducting a review of the Proceeds of Crime Act, which should serve to resolve issues relating to the sale of seized property as well as to strengthen enforcement through a system of financial penalties. This is according to Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who was giving the keynote address at an Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Financing of Terrorism...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the National Identification System (NIDS) is set to roll out in January 2018. He said NIDS is expected to have a transformative effect on Jamaica, providing a comprehensive and secure structure to capture and store personal identity information for citizens and persons resident in the island. The Prime Minister, who was addressing...

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is warning importers to desist from importing goods without the relevant permits, for concealing such goods, and for making a false declaration, as they will be caught and will face the full penalty for breaching the Customs Act. This warning follows on the heels of yet another find in which an importer attempted to conceal...

Human trafficking is now being taught in the nation’s schools. The curriculum was rolled out in more than 500 primary and secondary institutions at the start of the new academic year in September, following the success of the pilot introduced in 49 schools across the island in September 2015. It was developed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information,...