Ministry to Purchase Cheaper Cars for JCF

National Security Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, says will be purchasing cheaper vehicles during the next financial year to boost the mobile capacity of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

            Speaking at a town hall meeting in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland,  on March 21, the Minister said motor cars, which are popularly known as ‘deportees’, will be purchased, instead of more expensive new vehicles.

            He pointed out that these cars should be able to serve the force for at least three years, and instead of purchasing 100 new vehicles, the Ministry could obtain 400 used cars for the same price.

            This strategic move, Mr. Montague said, is being pursued in an effort to capitalize on the limited financial resources available to purchase vehicles for the force.

            “I have already spoken to the Permanent Secretary, that the money we will be given for motor vehicle in the next budget, we are going to buy some used cars. If a taxi man can take a ‘deportee” and it lasts him for 10 years, the Police can take a ‘deportee’ and it will last for three years,” the Minister said.

            The  Minister noted  that discussions are in progress for the retro fitting of police vehicles,  which will allow for the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and that a pilot project has already started.

             “Many  persons don’t know that we are running an experiment right now where we are using natural gas to power our police cars and if that experiment works, we will be using it in more vehicles,” he said.

            Meanwhile, the Minister  emphasized that there will be zero tolerance on corruption in the JCF  and that every effort will be made to include the use of more technology  in the fight against that scourge.

He also encouraged members of the public to report instances of  police officers asking for bribes in return for dropping charges or for withdrawing traffic tickets.