JCF Pursuing Amendments to Firearms and Bail Acts

Commissioner of Police, Dr. Carl Williams, says the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is pursuing legislative amendments to the Firearms and Bail Acts, to boost the crime-fighting capabilities in the island.

The Commissioner was responding to questions posed by journalists during a press conference, held at his Old Hope Road offices in St. Andrew on July 6, to update the nation on the latest crime-fighting initiatives.

“We are actively seeking an amendment to the Firearms Act, to ensure that persons caught with large numbers of weapons, especially in cases where they are importing them from outside of Jamaica (and) are moving them across Jamaica, that they are charged with trafficking in firearms,” he pointed out.

He said that these changes, if they are enacted, “will attract a much more severe penalty than the current regime of penalties being imposed under the Firearms Act.”

As it relates to the Bail Act, he said the changes would  allow for even persons who are not charged for criminal offences  to  be arrested and bailed, prior to charge. “That is something we are discussing actively and even some defence lawyers have come on board and engage with us in the discussions,” the Commissioner said.

Dr. Williams said these changes are being actively discussed with the policymakers.