SECURITY MINISTRY PROVIDES EQUIPMENT FOR JCF

By: LESLINE GILZENE

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson (left), hands over the key of a new Suzuki police vehicle to Acting Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, at the handing over ceremony for 140 new Suzuki vehicles acquired by the Ministry of National Security for the Jamaica Constabulary Force to boost mobility.

The Ministry of National Security, throughout 2009, acquired several pieces of  equipment for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), to  boost its  crime-fighting capabilities.

Commencing in January, Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) were installed in a number of parishes, beginning in May Pen, Clarendon. The installation of CCTV in May Pen was made possible through the joint efforts of the Ministry, the National Works Agency, and the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce. The equipment was installed as an addition to the crime management apparatus of the police divisions.

In February, the Police Convalescent Home in St. Elizabeth was given gym equipment valued at $270,000, to aid in the physical rehabilitation of police members  who are recovering from various injuries. The gym equipment, which included two multi-purpose exercise machines, treadmills, weight racks and exercise mats were funded from the proceeds of the 2007 National Leadership Prayer Breakfast.

The Government also signed a contract valued at $1.4 million with Motorola Inc. for the provision of additional radios and accessories for both the JCF and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

The acquisition of the equipment will enhance the inter-communication capability among the security forces, to improve operational efficiency and service delivery. The police communication wireless network has been significantly upgraded with a fully deployed public safety radio network, now in place.

In June, the JCF’s capability to fight crime was further boosted when it acquired computer software that can generate facial composites of likely suspects.

The newly acquired Electronic Facial Identification Technique (E-FIT) Software, will allow the police to create facial sketches based on the memory of victims and witnesses and a level of accuracy of up to 90 per cent. It will also allow the police to carry out their tasks in quick time, and create composites from different sections of the face, such as the eyes, ears, mouth and hair.

During the cognitive interviewing process, the software also allows the artist to take up to 40 per cent more information than traditional interviewing techniques.

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson (right), about to enter the new Bath Police Station in St. Thomas with Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ms. Jevene Bent. Occasion was the opening of the police station in August of this year.

Earlier this year, the JCF also received a Video Identification System to improve the effectiveness and fairness of identification parades. The identification system encompasses a process, whereby the head and shoulder moving images of suspects, either from an existing or new recording process, is compiled using a database of volunteer images with similar descriptions.

This new system is expected to be far superior to the conventional ID parade. The system is far fairer; it is of better quality, has excellent lighting and recording facilities and has a very robust mechanism.  

Rehabilitation and Re-integration    

As the Government continues to improve the Rehabilitation and Re-integration of Offenders and Deported Persons programmes, the Howard Hostels opened in August this year. This was a significant move in the transition process of offenders and re-offenders moving back into society. The project forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to improve its rehabilitative infrastructure and reduce crimes. The facilities were refurbished at a cost of some $22 million.

The programme was a joint venture between the Jamaican Government, through the Ministry, and the Government of the United Kingdom,  and seeks to achieve a reduction in re-offending rates among Jamaican offenders and returnees.

Infrastructural and Other Gifts

In August, the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre was given 20 toilets from various support organisations. The organisations, Prison Fellowship Jamaica and the Board of Visitors have also planned to tile the South Camp Rehabilitation Centre (Gun Court),  on South Camp Road, in Kingston.

The JCF also benefitted from infrastructural development in August, when the Government opened the $70 million Bath Police Station in St. Thomas. The spacious 5,427 sq. ft.  state-of- the-art station boasts modern finishes and systems, including  an automatic fire alarm system and a water proofing and insulation mechanism. The police station  has an administrative block, which comprises a reception area, two interviewing rooms, station officer’s office, three rest rooms, briefing room, and radio room.

The structure houses 12 cells which can accommodate a minimum of 36 persons. Each cell has its own toilet. That area also has a doctor’s office, identification room, and a service area. The barracks can accommodate both male and female police officers. The station is also equipped with a generator and an exhibit room.

PICA Storage Facility

As the year winds down, the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) opened a storage facility in November. The establishment of the $10-million facility will enable the agency to more speedily retrieve important passport and immigration records and make related enquiries where documentation is not readily available, especially in deportation cases.

The British High Commission funded the construction of the building, which will house PICA’s sensitive documents and engage document clerks, and is providing another $30.5 million for four motor vehicles, five computers and 11 staff members.

Fingerprint Identification Upgrade

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson, has signed an $88-million contract with Sagem SA of France, to upgrade the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS). The contract has a six-month implementation period. The upgrading is expected to improve the capability of the JCF’s fingerprint identification database. The system is also expected to make it easier to provide police records on individuals.  Additional equipment is also to be acquired and deployed strategically within the JCF, the Department of Correctional services, and at the Firearm Licensing Authority.

New Vehicles

In November, the police force received 140 new vehicles to boost its mobility in the fight against crime. The new Suzuki vehicles, which cost $221 million is an addition to the existing fleet, taking the number acquired since 2008 to 160.

Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Dwight Nelson (right), and Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owen Ellington inspect the interior of a new police vehicle, at the handing over ceremony for 140 new Suzuki police vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force in November, to boost their mobility.

The Government has also sought to provide vehicles used in the regular duties of the JCF, but has also sourced specialised vehicles that will further enhance their work. The force is expected to receive five mobile forensic units and five mobile command centres this month.

An additional $234 million was also made available in the First Supplementary estimates for 2009/2010, tabled in the House of Representatives in September, to purchase motor vehicles for the JCF. Last year $800 million was spent on 200 new police vehicles.

Special Anti-Crime Project

In April, the Ministry launched a Community Animation Programme within its Community Security Initiative (CSI) Programme.

The programme is a special anti-crime public education project, which seeks to engage communities in the fight against crime and violence, and in reducing fear. It focuses on issues of community security and accountability, to enhance security at the community level, by creating a culture of zero tolerance and increased reporting of crimes.

Already, the programme has been rolled out in the communities of  Mountain View, Jones Town, Hannah Town, Mathews Lane and August Town Road in Kingston;  March Pen Road, in St. Catherine; ‘Russia’ in Westmoreland; and Effortville and Caanan Heights in Clarendon. Some citizens in these communities were trained as animators over a six-week period.

The Ministry, in June, implemented the Jamaica Reducing Re-offending Action Plan (JRRAP), which aims to provide rehabilitative support for offenders and ex-offenders.

The initiative, which is funded at a cost of $115 million, involves collaboration with the Department of Correctional Services and civil society partners. Under JRRAP, offenders and ex-offenders will continue to be assisted with accommodation, employment, education, and skills training, health and medical services, including substance abuse services. They will also benefit from behaviour modification programmes, literacy, parenting and life skills, and skills training, to increase employability.