Commander of the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, has pledged his organisation’s commitment to deepening ties with the Caribbean in tackling security threats. He was addressing defence and security chiefs from across the region at today’s (January 27) official opening ceremony for the 14th Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in...

The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) is urging police personnel to adhere to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) policy. Addressing members of the St. Elizabeth Divisional Command of the JCF, recently, Manager of Inspection and Monitoring at the PCOA, Andrew Beaumont, told them that “before you can protect others, you have to be mindful of protecting yourselves in terms of...

The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is reporting that there have been 23 arrests for illegal gambling and related crimes, since it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) more than a year ago. The Commission has also noted that there have been seven convictions during that...

The Government will be acting on a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Commission, to address the issues of some security guards not receiving payslips, and being designated contractors. The contract designation prevents the guards from obtaining certain benefits under labour regulations, and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, says it is a matter that will have...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will, on Wednesday (January 20), host an Earthquake Awareness Open Day in Port Royal for primary and secondary schools in the Kingston Metropolitan Area. The event forms part of the organisation’s activities in recognition of January as Earthquake Awareness Month under the theme: Earthquake Safety – Don’t be Scared, Be Prepared....

Non-emergency calls to the police 119 number are clogging up the system and may prevent a quick response to genuine emergencies. Head of the Police Emergency Communication Centre, Superintendent Gairy Francis, told JIS News that the centre receives 33,000 calls per day, which is about 24 calls per minute. Of that number, about 23,000 or 70 per cent are for...

The Firearms (Amendment) Act 2015, which will improve the operational and financial effectiveness of the Firearms Licensing Authority, was passed in the Senate on Friday (January 15). The Bill, which was piloted by Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, was passed with one amendment. It seeks to remove the requirement for the FLA to refund the fees paid...