Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) Outlines Role

The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) is carrying out its role in facilitating good relations between the public and the police by, among other things, monitoring the implementation of policies by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and its auxiliaries.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PCOA, Richard Black, speaking at a public forum in Westmoreland recently, said that the Authority, which was set up in 2005, “monitors the standard of performance of the force so as to ensure that internationally accepted standards of policing are maintained.”
“On an ongoing basis, we conduct inspections of the force and its auxiliaries with the aim of improving the image of the police and its relationship with the public, and to improve the public’s understanding of the nature of police work,” Mr. Black informed.
The CEO said that the Authority has made valuable recommendations for improvements to the force’s managerial structure and has secured support to fund improvement projects and programmes.
“The Authority has secured financial support from the United States government to fund certain key projects that we have identified as important in police and citizens’ relations. Also, we have secured commitment from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in the United Kingdom to assist us in developing a performance management assessment of the JCF,” he stated.
Mr. Black said that the body has initiated meetings between the JCF and the Insurance Association of Jamaica, towards finding solutions to the large build up of crashed vehicles at police stations; has influenced a re-examination of police training; and is seeking to have changes to the process of selecting persons for the force.