Government Supporting Efforts of Police – PM

Prime Minister, Bruce Golding has assured that the Government is taking steps to support the efforts of the police in a number of critical, strategic areas. These include additional resources to increase mobility, and technical support for operational activity.
Mr. Golding, in his statement in the House of Representatives yesterday (June 3), further informed that a number of legislative changes will be brought to Parliament to strengthen the capacity of the police to apprehend those engaged in violent criminal activity, especially those involving gun crimes.
“Arrangements are also being made to expedite the trial of cases involving gun crimes to ensure that those who are guilty are not allowed free reign to continue their mayhem while the judicial process grinds slowly,” Mr. Golding said.
Meanwhile, he said the reorganisation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to transform it into an efficient peace-keeping law enforcement and crime fighting machine is one of paramount importance and urgency.
He stated that the report of the Strategic Review of the JCF, which was conducted by a panel of eminent local and foreign experts, has been submitted and the National Security Council, which includes representatives of the Police Services Commission, had completed its preliminary review yesterday (June 3).
“The review is to be discussed further with key stakeholders including the Police Federation, the Police Officers Association and the Police Oversight Authority,” Mr. Golding said.
He added that in order to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the changes proposed so that the consultations can be adequately informed, the executive summary and complete list of recommendations will be published in the JCF Orders on Friday (June 6).
“At the same time, I have directed the Minister of National Security to make available to his Opposition counterpart a copy of the full review and to invite him to discuss its findings and recommendations and seek consensus on these and on the implementation programme that will follow,” Mr. Golding said.
He encouraged members of the Force, who have been apprehensive about the changes, that the review would recommend to “examine” the recommendations which will be published on Friday.