US Embassy Donates Forensic Vehicles to Police, INDECOM

The country’s crime scene capacity has been strengthened with eight forensic vehicles donated by the United States (US) Embassy, to be used by investigators attached to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

Five of the vehicles are earmarked for use by the JCF, while INDECOM gets the other three. Funding for the vehicles came from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Devon Watkis, in expressing gratitude, said the vehicles will be of great help in improving criminal investigations by both entities.

“We recognize that the criminal investigation is not complete unless all the elements are undertaken, and dealt with in a professional manner. Now more than ever, the requirement for improved professional standards is the hallmark for all investigators,” the ACP stated, at the handover ceremony held on Wednesday, September 10, at the US Embassy in Kingston.

For his part, Commissioner of INDECOM, Terrence Williams, said his agency now has vehicles to cover its three offices in Kingston, Mandeville, and Montego Bay.

“The area of forensics is an important one. Any modern investigation must consider the forensic sciences. It is the only way in which an investigator can be objective and can be sure in his conclusions,” Mr. Williams said.

Meanwhile, Chargé d’ Affaires at the US Embassy, Elizabeth Martinez, noted that “our assistance does not stop with the delivery of these vans,” noting that through the INL, crime scenes investigators will be getting improved training.

She said the US Government plans to “continue and increase its support for Jamaica’s criminal investigators.”