Technology Use Expanded in JCF

The Government continues to expand the use of technology in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), to improve efficiency and foster improved safety and security.

This is being done through the introduction of modernisation projects, including expansion of the telecommunications system, implementation of the electronic Station Records Management and Case Management Systems, electronic ticketing, expansion of the JamaicaEye Programme, and digitisation of police certificate applications, among others.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, provided an update on the technological programmes being used by the Force, during his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

Dr. Chang explained that the JCF radio network had to be rehabilitated and expanded to ensure islandwide overage.

He said the construction of 10 additional sites has been earmarked to reduce the “dead spots” identified across the island and ensure significantly improved coverage islandwide when completed.

“Work on these 10 sites is continuing and has commenced. We are ensuring that the entire island will have an effective, modern, resilient police radio network, which can be useful, not only for policing but in times of crises and emergencies,” he said.

He informed that work is being undertaken to fully digitise the police force. To this end, he said facilities have been prioritised for immediate attention to ensure islandwide network interconnectivity.

“We are the only public entity that is on the path of full digitisation, critical for modern efficient operation of any institution. There is, therefore, a need for connectivity across all 220 police facilities.

One hundred and seventy of the 220 facilities have been prioritised for almost immediate attention,” the Minister said.

“To achieve this target, we are using a number of modalities, which include the JCF Microwave Network, the Government broadband network (GovNet) and commercial service providers. Already, 50 facilities are connected and a further 120 facilities will be connected early in this fiscal year,” he noted.

He informed that the remaining 50 facilities, most of which are located in remote geographical areas, are being assessed for the use of satellites and other modalities.

The Minister explained that where feasible, connections will be executed during the course of this fiscal year.

Dr. Chang said the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), like the JCF, has strengthened its digitisation efforts with its new e-passport and will be moving to a fully digitised entry process before the end of the fiscal year.

PICA’s operation is crucial to visitors’ experience at the ports of entry.

He said PICA is a crucial player in border control and border security.

Dr. Chang further noted that the implementation of the electronic Station Records Management and Case Management System is proceeding. This system will replace the “big books” which were used at police stations for recordkeeping.

He said by the end of April 2023, approximately 23 stations will be operational, noting that another 120 will be on-boarded by the end of this fiscal year.

The Minister pointed out that the JamaicaEye Programme, which now has 860 government cameras installed, will be further expanded during this fiscal year.

He informed that an additional 328 cameras are earmarked for the Corporate Area, and a monitoring centre will be constructed in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.

Dr. Chang stated that the programme has been extremely useful in apprehending criminals.

JamaicaEye is a public-private partnership designed to network CCTV cameras owned by the Ministry as well as accommodate feed from privately owned CCTV cameras.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the Government has digitised the Traffic Ticket Management System (TTMS) with electronic ticketing capability, which now provides a foundation for efficient public-order enforcement and better use of fixed-fine regimes.

“It is working. We have seen our officers issuing the tickets. They are issuing 7,000-plus tickets per week with 800 ticket machines,” Dr. Chang said.

He said the digitisation of the police certificate application process and the upgrade to a multi-biometric identification system have greatly improved service delivery at the Criminal Records Office (CRO).

“Our people no longer stand in long lines to apply for a police certificate,” Dr. Chang noted.

He said the Ministry is on track to establish a modern, state-of-the-art command and control centre, which connects and integrates all the systems. “This will greatly improve police efficiency and ensure even quicker response times in all aspects,” he stated.

Additionally, Dr. Chang pointed out that the JCF has implemented an effective Fleet Management System for police vehicles. He said 1,160 vehicles, including boats and motorcycles, are being tracked with the system. He added that plans are on track to increase the fleet to 1,500 operational vehicles.

“We are putting in place a full Enterprise Resource Planning solution, which includes an effective Asset Management System. This will complement our fleet management system to include motor vehicles that will be serviced on time; and office supplies delivered on time,” he said.

The Minister informed that the procurement of the System is advanced.

“We will be the most modern police force in the region and we will win the war against the criminal terrorists… . We will find them, prosecute them and lock them up. If they attack the police, my officers are well trained and are capable of protecting themselves,” he said.

Commenting on the technological modernisation projects earlier this year, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, said they will significantly impact the work of the police officers and their customers.

“It is important that the process of transformation reform continues apace to build a JCF that has the confidence of the population, the loyalty of its members, and the capacity to deliver modern effective policing services for sustainable development,” he said.

The work of the JCF will be showcased during a People, Quality and Technology exposition at the National Arena from May 11 to 14.