Senior British Police Officer to be Seconded to JCF

Come March 1, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will welcome a senior member of the British Metropolitan Police Services into its ranks, as part of efforts to enhance the capabilities of local law enforcement. Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, made the disclosure at a press conference held at his Oxford Road office on Wednesday (Feb. 2), where he also revealed that the services of additional British police officers would be engaged, after the initial appointment.
“We believe that this development will significantly complement the expertise and capabilities that presently exist in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and more importantly, it will also facilitate a transfer of technical skills in critical areas,” Minister Phillips told the media.
He noted that, “the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have a commitment to actively supporting and encouraging these deployments” and in addition to “current support that exists between the Metropolitan Police Services, Scotland Yard, and ourselves, it was further agreed that a number of officers would be posted in specialist operations on rotating assignments.”
The move to have senior British lawmen working within the ranks of the JCF is a decision that comes on the heels of Minister Phillip’s recent five-day visit to the United Kingdom, where he met with key government authorities employed to the British national security ministry, to discuss areas where the British government could lend support.
Accompanying Dr. Phillips was Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Gilbert Scott.
According to the National Security Minister, his discussions with British law authorities noted the accomplishments made in combating the illegal narcotics trade. Through collaboration with the British government, Jamaica has been able to reduce the flow of cocaine through its borders and to reduce by approximately 90 per cent, the flow of cocaine into the United Kingdom by body packers and couriers, who ingest the substance.
Turning to other arrangements with the British authorities, Dr. Phillips said that there was an agreement to provide continued support for the modernisation of the JCF. “The next phase of this support will focus on the implementation of practical operational measures to improve the capabilities and integrity of the JCF.special emphasis will be placed on skills transfer and capacity building in investigative techniques and case preparation,” Dr. Phillips stated.
He further informed the media that he had sought support towards the acquisition of modern forensic technologies “to boost our forensic capabilities and we sought a commitment to secure the services of an expert to assist in the establishment of the National Independent Investigative Authority in Jamaica, and we will see such a commitment from the United Kingdom authorities.”
Among the other matters discussed, Dr. Phillips said, was the continuation of the programme whereby selected senior members of the JCF’s officer corps and commissioned ranks received specialised training in the UK.
“We also agreed, in light of the end of the posting of a JCF officer in the UK, that we would identify some additional officers who will be posted in the UK from the JCF, to enhance our joint efforts against the organised criminal networks,” Dr. Phillips stated.