Four staff members from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) are currently participating in a seminar entitled Chinese Culture & Economy for Government Officials from Developing Countries in Beijing, China. The four are among 25 participants from several developing countries who are pursuing the programme which was organized by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce through the Beijing International Chinese...

Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, MP has commended the professionalism demonstrated by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force who have remained in their posts, putting the interest of the citizens of Jamaica and their duty to the nation as a priority. He described their actions as selfless and honourable, befitting the new type of policing that is being practiced by our Constabulary. “I...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, is assuring the nation that contingency measures have been put in place to mitigate the impact of the protest action taken by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Mr. Bunting informed that Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) personnel have been called out to support the police. "We will strengthen these contingencies even as...

The Minister of National Security is calling on members of the Police Federation to discontinue the apparent protest action that commenced last night. Minister Bunting stated "This behavior is not appropriate for an essential service; it exposes the public to unnecessary risk; and may damage the professional image of the JCF that has seen significant improvements in recent years." The...

Close to 30 persons applied for and received their passports today (June 1), under the new Same Day express service offered by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). The service, which costs $16, 500 was introduced today, as new passport fees became effective. In an interview with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer of PICA, Jennifer McDonald, said the Same...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, has commended the staff of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), for the hard work they put in to process the many persons applying for passports over the last two weeks. Mr. Bunting, who addressed the staff at the temporary location at the National Indoor Sports Centre on May 29, said he...

Minister of Justice, Senator the Hon. Mark Golding, says the successful implementation of the new law regarding possession of small quantities of ganja will require the discretion and judgement of the police. Mr. Golding said discretion and judgement on the part of the police is not an unusual requirement for the performance of their duties. "As is usual, when laws...