The National Security Policy

The Consultation on the NSS Green Paper was concluded and the NSS White Paper approved by Cabinet for publication as the National Security Policy (NSP).  The National Security Strategy Implementation Unit (NSSIU) has been established as a unit of the Cabinet Office.  The NSSIU is co-located at the complex housing the MNS.  The NSP will be ready for tabling in Parliament in April and thereafter for public distribution.

 

Violence Prevention and Crime Reduction

2006 recorded a significant 15% overall reduction in major crimes.  The year closed with declines of 20% in murders, 18% in shootings, 7% in rape 9% in robbery, 21% in break-ins, and 40% in larceny.  The one category of major crime that showed an increase was carnal abuse, which recorded 87 more cases in 2006, an increase of 26%.  The murder rate declined from 63 per 100,000 to 50.  Operation Kingfish continued to record successes in 2006.   During the year a number of leading criminal personalities had their trials concluded and were awarded appropriate prison terms.  These criminal convictions will contribute to the rebuilding of confidence in the ability of the criminal justice systems to hold the leaders of criminal enterprises accountable for their crimes.  Significant results from 594 operations of the Task Force include: 
 

Firearms recovered	74
Ammunition seized	15,413 (assorted rounds
Arrests made during operations	142
Motor vehicles recovered	29
Motor cycles recovered	7
Wanted persons apprehended	46
Compressed ganja seized	28,123 lbs + 2 canisters
Illegal airstrips disabled	2
Coast Guard boarding	39
Illegal aliens	67

 

Passage of Legislation

During the year in review the Parliament passed the Proceeds of Crime Act which will give the state, after due legal process, the power to seize property acquired through the pursuit of a criminal lifestyle.  Work on a Bill to establish a National Independent Investigations Authority was also advanced and the Bill is to go before the Legislation Committee.  A Bill to amend the Evidence Act was referred by Parliament for further consultation. 

The following other legislations are also currently before Parliament:

• Human Trafficking
• Amendments to Fingerprint Act
• Amendments to Firearms Act

Work has commenced on legislation which will be presented to Parliament in 2007/8 covering the following areas:

• Citizenship
• Immigration
• Asylum and Refugees
• Port Security 
• DNA 

 

Establishment of institutions

a. Police Civilian Oversight Authority

The Police Civilian Oversight Authority under the Chairmanship of Bishop Charles Dufour was established.  The Authority includes two representatives from the Police Services Commission.

b. The National Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA)

During the year in review the new FLA was established.  The Authority is now responsible for the granting and revocation of all firearm licenses and permits.  The Authority is on its way to establishing a ballistic database of licensed firearms in Jamaica and all weapons imported into the country.

 

Organisational Strengthening

• As portfolio responsibilities increased, there was significant recruiting across the MNS portfolio:
  • JCF strength rose to 8300 police officers, with the criminal investigation capacity of JCF rising to 18% (1495 strong) of the Force
  • JDF strength rose to 3600
  • Immigration Citizenship and Passport Services Division (ICPSD) (immigration officers) strength rose by 90 officers to 350 (immigration officers)
  • Department of Correctional Services (DCS) strength rose by 87 to 2543 (uniformed and civilian)

 

• Marine security capability and capacity was significantly enhanced with the acquisition of 3 new Coastguard vessels for JDF and 27 boats of varying sizes for the JCF;
• Station accommodation for JCF continued to be upgraded with one new police station constructed and 27 police stations having refurbishment work
• Vehicles at a cost of $62 million and motor bikes at a cost of $51 million were purchased during the year to improve the mobility of JCF, JDF and DCS
• A Convalescent Home for police officers was opened in Black River;
• The graduate entry programme was reintroduced in the JCF;
• Modernisation Plan for MNS was approved and initial steps taken to begin the recruiting of 51 extra staff together with the restructuring of the management;
• Modernisation Plan for ICPSD was approved and initial steps taken to enable the creation of an Executive Agency by June 2007

 

Investment in Modern Technologies and Equipment

a. The commissioning of new state of the art Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) has significantly improved the capacity of the JCF to process crime scene information.  The new APFIS will allow the JCF to:

• Automate the process of analysing palm and fingerprint data.
• Build an appropriate palm and fingerprint data-base.
• Increase efficiency in providing police records for the public, employers, etc.

The system is designed to meet the requirements of the JCF over the next four years.  It  is flexible and scalable in order to respond to future increased capacity demand. The system also has the scope for connectivity with similar systems elsewhere in the world.

b. The commissioning of new Integrated Ballistic Information System (IBIS) will enable the JCF to, inter alia:

• Capture the ‘ballistic signature’ of firearms in Jamaica and so develop an
  appropriate data base.
• Build a data-base of the ‘ballistic signature’ of bullets and spent shells recovered from the scene of shootings.
• Link bullets and spent shells recovered from crime or shooting scenes with other crimes involving the same signature (firearm).
• Link illegal firearms recovered with particular gun crimes.

c. The phased upgrading of communications systems for the security forces has commenced and will continue.  This involves an upgrade of the emergency 119 number and the supply of radio equipment to both the JCF and the JDF.

 

Securing our Borders

The JDF Coast Guard received the third off shore vessel and commissioned it into service along side the two previously acquired.  The marine police has also taken possession of a fleet of vessels for inshore patrols.  In addition the JDF has replaced a number of its helicopters and has acquired fixed wing aircraft for its new flight school.  These assets will serve to strengthen the capabilities of the security forces to police our territorial waters and secure our borders.

 

Intelligence Capabilities

Significant investments in building intelligence capabilities have been made and will continue. 

 

Building Social Cohesion and Enhancing Community Safety and Security

A range of social programmes, which saw collaboration across ministries, departments and agencies, involving also the NGO community, the private sector and international partners, supported the work of the police.  These included the Citizen Security and Justice Programme, the Community Security Initiative, the Safe Schools Programme (SSP), the Parish Crime Prevention Programme, Community Safety Scholarship Programme, the MNS/Supreme Ventures Scholarship Programme. These initiatives  continue to build a strong coalition with Central Government agencies, NGOs, the community, and the Church among others in an effort to address antisocial behaviour and issues relating to safety in schools and the surrounding community.  Working in collaboration with JASPEV, special effort was also placed on improving Police – Youth relations.