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The government has suspended the withdrawal of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) troops from Haiti as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) confirmed that it will send J$40 million to cover expenses incurred up to January 30. Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz says, "CDEMA has committed to send us J$10 million today (Feb 4) and approved an additional...

Public Defender, Earl Witter, has said that police killings could be reduced, if members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) had greater regard for the rules of engagement when attacked in the field. Mr. Witter was speaking Friday (January 29) at the annual award ceremony for top performers at the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI), in downtown Kingston. Between July...

The Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA) today (February 4), launched its website, www.ocajamaica.com, which will serve as an additional public education and advocacy tool. Speaking at the launch, which was held at the Institute of Jamaica, in downtown, Kingston, Children's Advocate, Mrs. Mary Clarke, explained that the website, designed and constructed with funding and technical assistance from the United...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Major Richard Reece, has charged graduates of a course under the Community Security Initiative (CSI) to "prove to the world that all you needed was an opportunity to succeed". He told the 28 graduates during a ceremony, Thursday (January 28), at the Excelsior Community College, where the computer repairs course was delivered,...

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, has said that the impending anti-gang legislation could be perceived as "draconian," but emphasised that they are necessary, as organised crime is posing the greatest threat to citizens' security in the Caribbean. He was speaking at the opening ceremony for a United Nations Development Programme workshop on citizens' security in the...

The Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA), has intensified its efforts to set standards for the private security industry to deliver quality service since 2009. "The PSRA ensured that the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica Level One Standards in Security Operations were completed and circulated to all security companies," says Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson. He added...

Minister of National Security Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, has said that there has been a 13 percent increase in police mobility, with the new vehicles acquired for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the last quarter of 2009. Speaking in the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday (January 22), Senator Nelson said that, during the...

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved funding of $1.9 billion (US$21 million) for the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) to continue its initiatives and interventions geared towards reducing the level of major crimes and interpersonal violence, for another four years. This was disclosed by Minister of National Security Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, during his contribution to the...

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anti-Corruption Branch, ACP Justin Felice, has said that the 1- 800-CORRUPT line, launched in January 2009, has been very successful. "We had an outstanding and successful year with the 1- 800 toll free line, and it is something we must continue," the Assistant Commissioner said, during an interview with JIS News on...

The Ministry of National Security is placing increased focus on training this year, with $100 million identified to start construction of classrooms and dormitories at the Police Academy in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. Also, a sum of $127 million has been allocated to construct a Firearm and Tactical Training Unit. "Construction on the project, which will be jointly funded by...

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, said that some $508 million was spent on improving the technological capacity of the security forces and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) last year. Making his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday, (January 22), Senator Nelson informed that the police emergency 119 service...

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, has said the Ministry will be seeking to accelerate its legislative agenda this year, as part of broader efforts to put a dent on criminal activity. This will include lending support to the Ministry of Justice in advancing the five proposed crime bills through Parliament, the Minister said in his contribution...