JCF removing ‘infiltrators’ from its ranks to boost public confidence — Chang
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The leadership of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is taking steps to remove so-called “infiltrators” from among its ranks, as part of efforts to boost public confidence in the organisation.
This was stated by the Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, during his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 1.
He said the JCF has strengthened its recruitment processes to ensure that its professional standards are upheld.
“This police force is not only vetting all new recruits, but is taking studied steps to remove the infiltrators,” Chang remarked.
Continuing, he said: “This was reflected recently with the arrest of some (Ranko) gang members and the significant number of police officers whose contracts were not renewed by the Commissioner of Police”.
The security minister said that historically, these infiltrators are used to brand the force, which is most unfair to the hardworking men and women of the organisation.
“I can assure the public that we have effective systems in place to identify the infiltrators. It must be noted that most of this work is being done by the police officers themselves and not by some external body,” Chang said.
For this, he said the police force should be commended.
“The country can now have confidence that the leadership of this force is taking every step to remove the infiltrators who undermine the system and get involved in criminal activities,” he added.
Meanwhile, following ongoing recruitment despite difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Chang said that for the first time in its history the JCF has a complement of over 12,000 personnel.
As it relates to efforts to add more boots on the ground, Chang said that in addition to acquiring the required physical space to train, “we must train the trainers in the Jamaican philosophy of policing, as we build the ‘Force for Good’, to restore public safety, and good order for our people”.
He shared that in 2021/2022 despite the pandemic, 1,260 officers were trained.