Jamaica

• Author: George Kurian
• Pages: 521-524

Page 521

Official country name: Jamaica

Capital: Kingston

Geographic description: Third-largest island in the Greater Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

Population: 2,731,832 (est. 2005)

LAW ENFORCEMENT

History

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was founded following the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1867 with an initial strength of 948 members under an inspector general. The force was modernized under the direction of W. A. Calvert of the London Metropolitan Police Force, who introduced many changes, such as employment of women police, setting up a traffic branch, and instituting a new training program. The JCF was completely Jamaicanized following independence in 1962.

Structure and Organization

The JFC has special responsibility for internal security. Supplementing the JCF are special entities such as the Island Special Constabulary Force and the district constabulary. The former is a reserve force that assists during emergency operations and the latter operate in small rural localities. There is also an unknown number of parish special constables who serve on the regular force on special occasions and are paid only when on duty. Larger cities have municipal forces, but their functions are restricted to enforcing municipal regulations and protecting municipal property.

Heading the JCF is the commissioner of police, assisted by six to eight deputy and assistant commissioners. For operational purposes the island is divided into five areas: Area 1, Montego Bay; Area 2, St. Mary; Area 3, Mandeville; Area 4, Kingston; and Area 5, St. Thomas. These areas are further subdivided into eighteen divisions, headed either by superintendents or deputy superintendents. The divisions are manned by sergeants, corporals, and constables besides maintenance men and specialists.

There are a number of special sections or units under the direct control of headquarters, although part of their personnel may be stationed outside Kingston. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), consisting of detectives or inspectors, has men stationed in all towns. Under the CID are the Criminal Records Office, the Fingerprints Bureau, the Fraud Squad, and the Forensics Laboratory. A special branch conducts police intelligence and provides physical security for visiting dignitaries.

Page 522

Police investigate the scene around the body of plainclothes police officer Rudolph Buchanan in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, December 10, 2002. Buchanan, the sixteenth police officer killed by violence in Jamaica that year, was gunned down on his way home. AP Images. The Traffic and Transport Section provides mobile patrols throughout the island and is responsible for maintaining the police radio network. A mounted police detachment, although used mainly for ceremonial functions, helps in traffic and crowd control and in patrolling parks and wooded areas. Immigration and passport services, once under civilian control, have been carried out by the...