Security Minister Reiterates Commitment to Weed out Corruption

KINGSTON – Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson has reiterated the Government's commitment to weed out corruption, to continue implementation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's  (JCF) anti-corruption strategy, and to heighten focus on wrongdoers within the Force.

“Corruption is a major hindrance to sustainable development with a disproportionate impact on the poor and dispossessed. In developing countries and emerging markets, corruption has become an issue of significant political importance and there is a growing determination to act, and to bring to book, those accused of corruption,” he stated.

Senator Nelson was addressing the first regional law enforcement anti-corruption conference, held under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, today March 22.

He pointed to initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry and the security forces to combat corruption, including increased operational and intelligence capabilities of the anti-corruption branch; consultations with the national integrity action forum; establishment of the JCF’s polygraph unit; and the launch of the anti-corruption branch website to facilitate increased awareness and public reporting of corruption.

“In addition, the JCF’s ethics committee was established to ensure integrity in the constabulary force… the first of its kind in the Caribbean,” he pointed out.

Senator Nelson added the Ministry has also engaged in active partnership with the media, to convey the successes of the branch with the public. “This is very important, because greater awareness on the part of the public on your efforts and determination to stamp out corruption will certainly motivate them to assist you in addressing it,” he the Minister said.

He said that increased awareness by the public of the 1800 CORRUPT hotline has resulted in a more than 50 per cent increase in calls.

“We are succeeding in the dismantling of international criminal and narcotics networks, largely due to the multi-jurisdictional co-operation between Jamaica and international agencies to combat crime and corruption,” the Minister further pointed out.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington said the importance of the conference theme, ‘Towards Regional Co-operation and Anti-Corruption’ , lies in the fact that the most credible threat to regional security and stability is posed by transnational organised crime, with its attendant corrupting influence, violence and  potential for instability.

“If we are to maintain regional security and stability, it is a non negotiable prerequisite for us to be able to confront and defeat transnational organised crime,” the Commissioner emphasised.

Mr. Ellington pointed to the ability of transnational organised crime to corrupt institutions. “Transnational organised crime targets critical institutions, such as our ports, our borders, our vital infrastructure, (and) perhaps more importantly the criminal justice community, of which law enforcement is a very important segment. If we are to maintain our credibility and trust, and operational effectiveness as a law enforcement agency, we will have to confront and defeat corruption,” he stated, noting the relevance of the conference.    

The inaugural two-day conference, being held under the theme, 'Towards Regional Co-operation and Anti-Corruption', is a collaboration among the National Security Ministry, the JCF's Anti-Corruption branch, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the USAID. It brings together law enforcement professionals, advocacy groups, civil society, ministerial policy makers, and academia, to address issues of corruption and its effects on law enforcement.

The forum will also serve as a platform for the formation of a regional law enforcement anti-corruption network, and practitioners will participate in drafting guidelines of regional collaboration on law enforcement and anti-corruption.

Participating countries and organisations include: CARICOM states, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Dutch and French territories of the region; the United Nations Development Programme, the Organisation of American States, embassies and high commissions based in Jamaica, the University of the West Indies, and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security.