Defence
In Jamaica, defence falls under the portfolio of the Ministry of
National Security and Justice. The country's security and protection
of the people is one of the top priorities of government, which
has given this major responsibility to a number of competent and
well-equipped bodies.
The Jamaica Defence Force
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was founded on Armed Forces Day,
August 31, 1962. It is responsible for defence and maintaining order
in Jamaica.
The JDF is organised into various regular and reserve units operating
on land, sea and in the air: the Jamaica Regiment (comprising one
reserve and two regular battalions of infantry); the JDF Air Wing
and JDF Coast Guard (each with its own reserve elements); and Engineer
Regiment and a Support and Services Battalion.
Infantry and National Reserve
- the main wing of the JDF, this body provides support to the police
by maintaining law and order, assisting with the maintenance of
essential services and assisting with emergency relief during disasters.
The Air Wing
- this body provides services such as evacuation of critically injured
persons. Its services are also used to enter areas, which are inaccessible,
by other means.
The Coast Guard -
This wing is also known as the Maritime Wing. It is responsible
for patrolling Jamaica's territorial waters, assisting in the fight
against drug smuggling. It is also responsible for fisheries protection,
and under the international maritime agreement, carries out medical
evacuations.
The JDF is also involved in projects and community based ventures
where members of the force construct and maintain buildings and
roads.
The mission statement of the JDF is to safeguard national sovereignty
and the maintenance of order as required; to be prepared for crisis
response actions with a loyal, professional and totally committed
force, and to assist in the process of national development as we
protect Jamaica's image through service at home and abroad.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force
The
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was founded following the Morant
Bay Rebellion in 1865. It was established with 984 members and managed
by an Inspector General appointed by the British Government. The
mission of the JCF and its auxiliaries is to serve, protect and
reassure the people in Jamaica through the delivery of impartial
and professional services.
Mr W. A. Calver of the London Metropolitan Police, reorganised and
carried out an evaluation of the Force in 1948. He made recommendations
and reorganised the Force. Changes that he brought about included:
the employment of women as police, the setting up of a Traffic Branch
and introduction of a formal training program.
After Independence, the regulations governing recruitments were
changed. Today, only Jamaican citizens can serve in the Force.
The duties and powers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are defined
and set out in Section 13 of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act
which states:
The duties of the police under this Act shall be to keep the watch
by day and night; to preserve the peace; to detect crime; apprehend
or summon before a Justice, persons found committing any offence,
or whom they reasonably suspect of have committed any offence; to
serve and execute all summonses, warrants, subpoenas, notices and
criminal processes issued by any Justice in a criminal matter, and
to do and perform all duties appertaining to the office of the Constable.
The Force maintains law and order, prevents and detects crime, protects
life and property, investigates alleged crime and enforces all criminal
laws.
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