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Analysis of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Operations Good Governance, Management, Cohesive Policies and Clear Guidance in Allocating Neighbourhood Rights Operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force
Analysis of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Operations Good Governance, Management, Cohesive Policies and Clear Guidance in Allocating Neighbourhood Rights Operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force
K. O. A. Hashim Hakizimana
Abstract
This paper examined the argument that governance is an essential to decision-making and
leadership in every organization which determine how decisions are made, expectations are
defined, how power is granted and performance verified. It further argues that good governance
requires cohesive of policies, consistency in management and clear guidance in the allocation of
neighbourhood rights to be discussed in the context of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in its
efforts to provide neighbourhood rights. To properly argue the point the paper looks at the
concepts and characteristics of governance; the Operational vision, mission and motto of the
Jamaica Constabulary Force; the Neighbourhood Rights promised and provided by the Jamaica
Constabulary Force; the Operational Branches and the Policy Implementation Problems arising
from this mandate. It found that, while the Jamaica Constabulary Force has proper
organizational structure, cohesive policies and a clear guidance in how to allocate the promised
public goods, it was fraught with two handicaps: limited political and human resource glitches
that were inimical to providing the proper implementation for the policies undertaken. The
absence of studies that properly identify the reasons for serious crimes, despite the Jamaica
Constabulary Forces satisficing organizational structure and valiant efforts to fulfil its mandate,
seems to lay elsewhere but is not the remit of this paper.
Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 3
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Concepts and characteristics of governance ................................................................................... 4
Table 1. Rank and Insignia in the JCF ........................................................................................ 5
Operational vision, mission and motto of the Jamaica Constabulary Force ................................... 6
What are the Neighbourhood Rights provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force? .................... 7
Operational Branches, Areas and Divisions within the Jamaica Constabulary force ..................... 8
What are the returns on deliverables? ........................................................................................... 13
Policy Implementation Problems .................................................................................................. 14
Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 15
References ..................................................................................................................................... 16
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. 18
Table 2 List of Excludable Goods offered by the Jamaica Constabulary Force ................ 18
Table 3 Divisional activities 2012 ...................................................................................... 19
Table 4: Murder and Shootings by Parish for the Years 2010 - 2014 ................................... 22
Table 5: Carnal Abuse/Sexual Intercourse with a person under 16 & Rape: 2010 - 2014 ... 22
List of Maps - JCF Divisional Images Areas 1 5 .................................................................... 23
Copy of Organization of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (Organization of American States) ............. 28
Introduction
Despite the dubious and even repressive circumstances that influenced the creation of the
Jamaica Constabulary Force two years after the infamously reported Morant Bay civil
disturbance, in our present context, it, like other institutions of modern life has to have structures
for accountability to its mandate. This paper will explore general ideas of the characteristics of
good governance as promised by the Jamaica Constabulary Forces operational vision, mission
and motto that finds fulfillment in the allocation of those public goods otherwise known as
neighborhood rights. It will endeavor to show that its hierarchical structure has consistent
management system bolstered by cohesive policies which is capable of influencing the decisionmaking process, defining expectations; verify performance that should give guidance in the
allocation of neighbourhood rights.
Concepts and characteristics of governance
How can performance be verified in the context of the Jamaica Constabulary Force? Firstly,
there is reliance on the crime figures given by the law-enforcement authorities and secondly, the
public perception of low levels in certain crimes or the numbers of arrests, convictions or patrols
based on the news reports and their personal experience, see for example Tables 4 and 5: Murder
and Shooting by Parish for the years 2010 2014 and Carnal Abuse/Sexual Intercourse with a
person under 16 & Rape: 2010 2014 respectively (JCF Statistics and Information Management
Unit (SIMU), 2015).
promise that they serveprotectreassure with courtesy, integrity and proper respect for the
rights of all. These are promises that the institution has made that defined the expectations that
the populace holds the Jamaica Constabulary Force to.
What are the Neighbourhood Rights provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force?
Neighbourhood rights are simply public goods and services provided by government entities.
According to (USLegal Inc., 2001) Public goods and services are those goods and services
whose benefits cannot be withdrawn for non-payment, and the benefits that may be consumed by
one person without reducing the amount of the product available for others. There is
concurrence by (Social Services Help Center, 2001-2015) that In the case of police, national
defense and public education it can be argued that private provision of these services would be
less desirable for a variety of reasons. Public goods are economic products that are consumed
collectively. Conversely, there are excludable goods that those who wish to participate in their
enjoyment have to pay (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2015) such as outlined in Table 1 Services
Offered that are excludable (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2015). The minimum standards for
these neighbourhood rights are prescribed in The Standard Operation Procedures for Police
Citizens Interaction, as a matter of justice reflects respect for citizens rights and dignity;
portrays a professional image of the police and enhances positive relationship between the
community and the police service. (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2011, p. 1).
Indeed to make the rights available to all citizens as promised requires an interconnected set
of relevant policies. These policies are clearly articulated in the laws enacted by Parliament,
called Acts and in the Force Orders through which the Commissioner of Police communicates
instructions to implement or monitor the policies. Despite the glorious promises of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force the crime rate is out of control and the lack of resources, indiscipline and
7
corrupt practices of its members is also beyond control as indicated by two Commissioners of
Police whilst in office among others (The Jamiaca Gleaner, 2010) (The Jamaica Gleaner, 2008)
(The Jamaica Gleaner, 2008).
Operational Branches, Areas and Divisions within the Jamaica Constabulary force
What eventually became the present Jamaica Constabulary Force has its roots in the 1865
Uprising in Morant Bay at which time highlighted the the vulnerability of peace and law on
Jamaica and caused the establishment of an improved police force, the Jamaica Constabulary
Force (Jamaica Contabulary Force, 2015). There are eight Branches and five Areas
geographically convenient locations that span the island and represent the total areas of
command and control (see Maps of Police Areas of Control). There are areas that are
particularly challenging to police due to the demographic and political circumstances. These
areas or portions of them are divided by cardinal points and so namedAreas of one or two
parishes so combined are seen in Areas Four and Five as noted below. Areas are comprised of
proximate parishes, likely for ease of management control and are commanded by an Assistant
Commissioner of Police (ACP) while Divisions are subsets of Areas and are commanded by
Superintendent of Police (SP) or Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). An undated document
from the OAS indicates that the Jamaica Constabulary Force is organized under at least eight
Branches (Organization of American States). A recent document identifies five Areas and
nineteen Divisions as the principal instruments of command and control. The Branch plans,
coordinates and provides security strategies for national and major events within the country is
also charged with the responsibility of oversight for the divisions (Jamaica Constabulary Force,
2012, p. 37):
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
a.
b.
c.
d.
St. Thomas
St. Catherine North
St. Catherine South
St. Andrew North
Some of this information has been modified or updated in Annual Reports 2012 and 2013.
According to Jamaica Constabulary Force (2013), the Operations Branch is responsible for
planning and coordinating national security strategies aimed at reducing crimescoordinates
and directs logistic supports; monitors and directs police operations island wide, thereby
ensuring the effective management of the functions undertaken [or]are supervised by the
Branch (JCF Annual Report 2013 p. 35). There are at least fourteen operational arms presently
being used in the Jamaica Constabulary Force:
1. Mobile Reserve provides operational support to all geographic divisions in abnormal
situations such as social unrests and gang warfare( JCF Annual Report 2012 p. 37), and
provides infrastructural security (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 34)
2. Canine primarily provides operational support to Geographic Divisions across the
island to detect narcotic substance, illegal guns and ammunition, human remains and
persons lost or in distress also provides daily security coverage in narcotic duties (drug
detection) at airports and wharves and to lend support to over one hundred and fifty
(150) private exporters (JCF Annual Report 2012, p. 38).
3. Marine is mandated to guard the islands coastline and offshore to include the cays
collaborates with [other] stakeholders (JCF Annual Report 2012, p. 38) and (Jamaica
Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 35).
4. Police Control Centre the mandate is to facilitate communication between
operational sections within the Force; ensure the swift response to emergency calls and
10
maintain accurate data on all activities, incidents and events (JCF Annual Report 2012,
p. 40),
5. Mounted Troops is tasked to perform police duties on horsebackoperates mainly in
the areas of ceremonial functions, crowd restraint and traffic control (JCF Annual
Report 2012, p. 41) and Patrols and Traffic stops/check points and ceremonial duties
(Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 37)
6. Ports operates from the Norman Manley and Donald Sangster International Airports
in minimizing the trafficking of drugsenforces various Acts governing the Air and
Seaports facilitating a safe environment for travel and the shipment of freight. (JCF
Annual Report 2012, p. 42) now encompasses, Norman Manley and Donald Sangsters
International Airports, Montego Bay Freeport and Port Bustamante (Jamaica
Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 36).
7. Traffic has overall responsibility for traffic management island-wideto prevent
breaches of the Road Traffic Act, as well as prosecute offenders and investigate motor
vehicle accidents (JCF Annual Report 2012, p.43 ) Central to its functions are public
education and the enforcement of the Road Traffic Act as well as the investigation of
motor vehicle accidents (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 35)
8. Visual Identification Unit responsibilityto provide an authentic medium through
which investigators may confirm or disprove the identification of an accused with the use
of video and traditional identification parades (JCF Annual Report 2012, p. 43)
9. National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) moved significantly closer to becoming the central
repository of all criminal and security intelligence in Jamaica and the Caribbean, thereby
11
integrating intelligence into all aspects of policing (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013,
p. 37).
10. Canine Division to provide island-wide support to divisions and formations, in the detection and interdiction of illegal narcotic substances, guns and ammunitions at airports
and wharvesalso assists in the detection of human remains and in locating persons who
are lost or in distress (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 37).
11. Police Control Centre responsible for responding to emergency calls from citizens 119
request for assistance and police services. It is also a data validation hub for all formations; providing information on operational activities and results carried out by
members of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 37)
12. Protective Services Division is responsible for conducting threat and risk assessments;
security surveys; close protection and residential securityalso provides expertise in the
area of Explosive Ordnance Device (E.O.D) (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013, p. 35)
13. Band Division further police/community relations through performances at various
civic, social and community functions island wide (Jamaica Constabulary Force, 2013,
p. 38)
14. Community Safety And Security Branch (CSSB) subsumed the role and
responsibilities of the Police Community Relations with additional charge to rebrand the
organization through improved citizen partnership; driven by institutionalizing
Community Based Policing practices as the philosophy of the organization and also as an
operational strategy which underpins all policing activities (Jamaica Constabulary
Force, 2013, p. 38)
12
The fear of violent crime in Jamaica is so heightened that it is the daily focus of media
attention. It is central to conversations in government as well as the business and
residential communities, and is generally on the minds of everyone. The causes of crime
on the island are many and complex. the governments fiscal inability to provide
necessities and services to the neediest segments of the population has proliferated the
power of organized crime leaders, locally referred to as Dons, who now have a
stronghold in a great many communities throughout Jamaica (p. 3) [that made] The
nature of violence [and]level of violenceunusually high (p. 4)
The forgoing observations by the PERF Report sees that the volume of crime has
stretched the resources allocated to the JCF to a dangerously thin level they receive little
compensation for doing a risky job with equipment, if it exists that is often in poor condition
(p. 4). It points to a routine shortage of operable police vehicles technology severely lacking
and widespread speculation that many within the ranks of the JCF are corrupt (p. 5), It seems
13
clear that given the limited or absent resources, despite their valiant effort, as expressed in their
vision and mission, the Jamaica Constabulary Force will never be able to reduce crime in light of
their resource strapped circumstances.
14
suspects in police custody (p. 20) (Jamaicans For Justice, AMR 38/03/2001). None of these
formed part of the neighbourhood rigths or public goods promised.
Conclusions
The paper has entered the debate by looking at the concepts and characteristics of
governance, the operational vision, mission and motto and the neighbourhood rights provided by
the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It also looked at the Operational Branches and their functions
and assessed the returns on the promised service deliverable. The numerous failures to deliver
the neighbourhood rights or public goods and services by the police points to serious weaknesses
in governance or inconsistency in management. Despite its seemingly rigid and militaristic
structure, the Jamaica Constabulary Force does not have the capacity to make the deliverables
possible. It is soley dependent on the political directorate for financial and policy support. It is
organized for management but cannot adequately manage its own personnel away from
corruption, or the perception of it, so that its mission and vision can be achieved without
additional impediments. If its mission and vision are illusive then there should be questions and
answers about the political will and support then eyes should be turned in the direction of the
processes for selection, training, mentoring and management of its human resources. If these are
not forthcoming or inadequately supplied, then the good intentions will fold and fall flat on its
face.
15
References
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Proceedings (Baylor University Medical Center) , 15(1), 19-22. Retrieved July 2015, from
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Gomes, C. (2007, May 23-27). Police Accountability in the Caribbean: Reform, what Reform? Jamaicans
For Justice. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from www.abc.gov.jm:
htpp://www.abc.gov.jm/html/wpcontent...04/police-accountability-feb-2011.doc
Government of Jamaica. (1935, December 19). The Constabulary Force Act. 69. Jamaica. Retrieved July
10, 2015, from http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The Constabulary Force Act.pdf
Government of Jamaica. (1962, July 24). Jamaica (Constitution) Order in Council. 164. Kingston, Jamaica.
Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files...nstitution) Order in Council
1962.pdf
Jamaica Constabulary Force. (2011, May 19). The Standard Operation Procedures for Police Citizens
Interaction. Force Orders 3337(Appendix A). Jamaica: JCF.
Jamaica Constabulary Force. (2012). Annual Report. JCF.
Jamaica Constabulary Force. (2013). Annual Report. JCF. Retrieved July 10, 2015, from
http://issuu.com/jamaicaconstab/docs/jcf_annual_report_2013_pdf
Jamaica Constabulary Force. (2015). Services Offered by the JCF. Retrieved July 8, 2015, from jcf.gov.jm:
https://www.jcf.gov.jm/services
Jamaica Constabulary Force. (May 19, 2011). The Standard Operation Procedures for Police Citizens
Interaction: Appendix "A . Force Orders 3337, Kingston.
Jamaica Contabulary Force. (2015, March 21). History. Kingston, Jamaica. Retrieved July 8, 2015, from
https://www.jcf.gov.jm/about-us/history
Jamaican Parliament. (1962). In a Nutshell The Jamaica Constitution, 1962. Jamaica. Retrieved July 10,
2015, from http://jis.gov.jm/media/constit.pdf
Jamaican Police.com. (2008, December 4). You Can Help Stamp Out Police Corruption. Retrieved July 16,
2015, from jamaicanpolice.com: http://www.jamaicanpolice.com/tag/police-indiscipline/
Jamaicans For Justice. (2004, May 10). Contribution of Jamaicans for Justice to the National Security
Strategy. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from http://www.africanafrican.com:
http://www.africanafrican.com/folder1...rityStrategysubmissionfinal_1_(1).doc
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Jamaicans For Justice. (AMR 38/03/2001). JAMAICA - Killings and violence by police: How many more
Victims? Retrieved July 16, 2015, from lib.ohchr.org:
http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/IPR/Doc...JM/JFJ Jamaicansforjustice Annex16.pdf
JCF Statistics and Information Management Unit (SIMU). (2015, March). Crime Statistics 2010 - 2014.
Kwapong, O. A. (2007). Problems of policy formulation and implementation:The case of ICT use in rural
womens empowerment in Ghana. International Journal of Education and Development using
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Makinde, T. (2005). Problems of Policy Implementation in Developing Nations: The Nigerian Experience.
Journal of Social Science, 11(1), pp. 63-69.
Organization of American States. (n.d.). Organization of the Jamaica Constabulary Force: Tracts from JCF
Manual Vol1 Part 1. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/m...tracts_from_JCF_manual_Vol1_part1.pdf
Police Executive Research Forum. (January 2001). Violent Crime and Murder Reduction in Kingston.
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Philanthropy in the U.S.: An Encyclopedia. Kansas, USA: ABC-CLIO 2004. Retrieved July 6, 2015,
from http://bloch.umkc.edu/mwcnl/resources...nts/overview-nonprofit-governance.pdf
Social Services Help Center. (2001-2015). Public Goods and Services. Retrieved July 8, 2015, from
Socialstudieshelp.com: http//:www.socialstudieshelp.com/Eco_Public_Goods.htm
The Jamaica Gleaner. (2008, December 2). Citizens Urged to Help Fight Indiscipline Within the JCF.
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definitions.uslegal.com: http://definitions.uslegal.com/p/public-goods-and-services/
17
List of Tables
Table 2 List of Excludable Goods offered by the Jamaica Constabulary Force
Service
Price
$500
Abstract Reports
$2500
$6000
$8000
$3,000
$6,000
$8,000
$3,000
$3,000
10
$3,000
11
$20,000
12
$10,000
13
$3,000
14
$6,000
15
$8,000
16
$3,000
17
$2,500
18
$1,500
18
Mobile
Reserve
Mobile Patrols
Covert Patrols
Operations
Cordon &
Searches
Curfews
Vehicle Check
Points
Raids/Surges
Foot Patrols
9,507.0
322.0
Arrests (charged)
Lectures
Warrants issued
Detained for
Questioning
Guns Seized
Ammo seized
Ganja (lbs/hec)
seized/destroyed
Ganja "sticks"
seized
2,716.0
Ganja (cured) kg
Ganja (seedlings)
million hectares
Ganja (plants)
Ganja
(seeds/seedlings)
Cocaine/Cannabis
(Ingest/Insert)
Cocaine Pellets
Cocaine
(pounds/Kilo)
Ash Oil (lbs)
Narcotics
Rewards paid out
Wanted Persons
captured
Traffick Tickets
issued
Proactive
Transmissions
island-wide
Marine
Police
Control
Port
Traffi
c
NIB
CI
B
OCID
Trans
Nat
TCN
D
Crime
Stop
1562
198
208
343.0
19.0
9,269.0
2,819.0
6,525.0
5,761.0
90
854
18,702.
0
1,953
4,721
571
41
1433
81
21
168
67
32.5
109
17,48
1
244
5
27
19
2,524
1001.1
3
5713
4,793.
5
52,33
0
1.6
456.0
587
70,000
302
58
46
96.68
39
7
49
338
42
$
41,812,080.
00
$613,900
54
3,614
22
13
112
11,546
19
8,300,0
00
1,100,0
00
Calls received
Calls (Prank)
Spot Checks
Vessels searched
Packages (drugs)
Persons searched
Deported
Migrants vetted
Vetting Requests
Vetted Persons
(other)
Vessels/boats
seized
Premises
Searched
Persons searched
Accident
Investigations
Major Case
Investigations
Intelligence
Products
Motor Vehicles
Recovered
Recovered (Bags
of Soap)
Recovered
(property)
716
102
6,652
253
634,03
3
4354
2,309
1,150
92,000
55
1692
8,59
9
15
0
7,698
13
$6,837,600
12.5
Money Recovered
(US$)
800,00
0
Fraud
1671
Money Recovered
(J$) Million
Kidnapping
Human
Trafficking/Child
Porn
145
$
797,743,949.
62
$
17,744,940.5
5
10
3
1,131
Extortion
17
Cybrecrime
43
Customs/Excise
Copyright/Tradem
ark Act
10
4 and 37
20
Mutual Legal
Assistance
(MLAT)
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) CDRs
received
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) CDRs
sent Service
Provider
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) CDRs
received from
Service Providers
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) Back Log
CDRs received
from Service
Providers
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) CDRs
sent to
Investigators
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) Digital
Media Cases
Extracted
Communication
Forensic and
Cybercrimes
(CFCU) Digital
Media Cases
Examined and
returned to
Investigators
Deportation of
Fugitives
Extradition of
fugitives
Rescued
14
829
829
416
117
427
928
272
5
6
24
21
Table 4: Murder and Shootings by Parish for the Years 2010 - 2014
MURDERS
SHOOTING
Parish
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
441
328
357
371
289
557
466
481
461
378
St. Catherine
358
300
217
225
204
322
332
238
252
207
St. James
191
158
153
166
159
199
181
173
154
141
Trelawny
26
19
15
26
22
21
25
32
25
21
Westmoreland
83
62
68
89
51
92
72
63
86
101
Hanover
26
15
37
34
39
22
24
22
35
30
St. Mary
36
23
19
35
25
31
19
13
20
10
St. Ann
40
41
48
35
38
34
42
30
34
34
Portland
10
10
Manchester
49
32
41
35
41
56
49
43
28
29
Clarendon
136
77
84
112
97
118
97
86
90
96
St. Elizabeth
21
31
27
31
21
34
25
32
28
27
St. Thomas
31
37
23
32
12
31
19
28
20
21
Grand Total
1447
1133
1099
1200
1005
1524
1354
1247
1241
1099
Table 5: Carnal Abuse/Sexual Intercourse with a person under 16 & Rape: 2010
- 2014
RAPE
Parish
Kingston & St.
Andrew
St. Catherine
St. James
Trelawny
Westmoreland
Hanover
St. Mary
St. Ann
Portland
Manchester
Clarendon
St. Elizabeth
St. Thomas
Grand Total
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
185
294
341
205
168
238
206
150
498
327
108
80
13
62
32
23
43
19
31
65
31
33
725
137
90
18
70
39
17
44
15
35
38
23
32
852
152
91
21
57
27
29
33
15
48
74
37
30
955
166
78
20
52
41
30
37
25
44
85
30
34
847
164
52
19
39
16
30
22
24
24
58
39
30
685
130
43
27
40
11
42
23
30
50
53
37
66
790
66
37
17
43
14
23
13
13
26
26
14
51
549
85
27
6
20
20
2
7
25
19
28
21
25
435
180
54
19
52
27
22
23
44
46
75
59
88
1187
166
67
27
59
30
15
22
30
55
104
42
64
1008
22
23
24
25
26
27
28