Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes Retires

The Police Service Commission announces that it has accepted a request from Mr. Francis A. Forbes to proceed on early retirement from his post as Commissioner of Police, Jamaica Constabulary Force, with effect from January 19, 2005.
Commissioner Forbes joined the force in 1970 at the age of 19 and has had a long and distinguished career, performing in a variety of functions including, Operations Officer of the Flying Squad, Administrative Director of the Jamaica Constabulary Staff College and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Crime Portfolio.
He was amongst the earlier members of the Accelerated Promotion Programme and has also benefited from training courses at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police College in Canada, the Metropolitan Police Service College in the United Kingdom and a number of police training institutions in the United States of America. He has been promoted through the ranks, becoming a Sergeant (1975), Inspector of Police (1976), Assistant Superintendent of Police (1977), Deputy Superintendent of Police (1981), Superintendent of Police (1988), Senior Superintendent of Police (1991), Assistant Commissioner of Police (1994), and Deputy Commissioner of Police (1995).
In October 1996, he became the youngest officer to be promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police in the 133 year history of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.During his tenure as Commissioner, a Corporate Strategy for the Force was developed and has guided the modernization process for the past five years. The force is now better equipped, staffed and trained.
Commissioner Forbes’ service and dedication was acknowledged by the award of the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service in 1993 and The Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 1998. He has also served in professional organizations in the Caribbean region and internationally, and has been the President of the Association of Caribbean Chiefs of Police (ACCP) since 2002.
The Police Service Commission wishes to acknowledge Commissioner Forbes’ long and dedicated service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force and to the country and people of Jamaica.
After a short period of leave, Commissioner Forbes will assume an assignment with CARICOM, as Director in the Project Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.