Departments and Agencies include:
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)
The Force is that arm of the Ministry which is responsible for the maintenance of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime, the investigation of alleged crimes, the protection of life and property, and the enforcement of all criminal laws as defined by the Jamaican jurisdiction. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) also provides general assistance to the public as the case may arise. By adhering to their Citizens Charter, the JCF endeavours to satisfy citizens through general service as well as through the impartial, transparent enforcement of law and order. The Establishment of the JCF is 9930 plus fifty five (55) supernumerary positions making a total of 9985, but the current strength is 8441.
The Island Special Constabulary Force
The Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) is the first reserve to the regular Police Force. Approximately fifty eight percent (58%) of the personnel are deployed in Kingston and St. Andrew. Its members supplement the regular force in all facets of policing including the detection and investigation of major breaches of the Road Traffic Act.
The strength of the ISCF is 1386.
The District Constable
The District Constable (DC) is concerned with community patrolling and policing in order to minimize the incidence of crime. District Constables normally reside in the community that forms part of their area of responsibility.
The current strength of the DC is 1325.
Budgetary Allocation:
The Approved Budget of the Force is as follows:
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2006/2007 Revised Budget
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2007/2008 Approved Budget
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JCF
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13,953,887,000
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16,000,000,000
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ISCF
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1,376,761,000
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1,472,538,000
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DC
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555,042,000
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911,673,000
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Jamaica Defence Force (JDF)
The Jamaica Defence Force is constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Defence Act. The Defence Act has charged the JDF with defence and protection from external forces or threat to the sovereignty of Jamaica. The JDF also supports the maintenance of order in Jamaica as well as any other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Defence Board. The Defence Board is subjected to the general authority of the Hon. Prime Minister who has Ministerial responsibility for defence matters including command, discipline and administration. The Chief of Staff has overall responsibility for the operations and administration of the Force.
Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
PICA monitors and regulates the entry and exit of all persons entering or exiting the Jamaican shores. The Agency provides passports to Jamaican citizens; process applications for citizenship and ensure adherence to the Immigration, Passport and Jamaica Nationality Act.
The primary functions of the agency include:
- Monitoring the activities of non-Jamaicans;
- Investigating Immigrants who are in breach of the Immigration or Aliens Act and
- Monitoring deportation cases.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS)
The core functions of the DCS are:
The management of offenders within both non-custodial and custodial programmes with a view to ensuring their rehabilitation and reintegration into society upon release. This Department is comprised of seven (7) Adult Correctional Centres, one (1) Adult Remand Centre, four (4) Juvenile Centres, and seventeen (17) Community Service Offices (Probation Offices) who are all under the directorship of the Department’s Chief Executive Officer, the Commissioner of Corrections.
Private Security Regulation Authority Functions (PSRA)
The PSRA manages, monitors and rregulates the Private Security Industry through the monitoring of registration processes for armed Private Security Guards, considering applications for registration and renewal of licenses under the direction of the Private Security Act, monitoring the operations of Private Security Organizations and making enquires and collecting information as it may think necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out its functions.
Caribbean, Regional Drug Law Enforcement Training Centre (REDTRAC)
This Centre has direct responsibility for training professionals in drug law enforcement, knowledge and skills for eighteen (18) English speaking countries within the Caribbean Region. REDTRAC provides training for groups including the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and PICA among others. Its regional partners include the Caribbean Anti Narcotics Unit, the Counter Drug Task Force (Trinidad & Tobago), the Financial Investigation Units, Coast Guards Departments, Port Security Corps and Regional Police Forces.
The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA)
The FLA has responsibility for monitoring and regulating the issuance of firearms licence and conducting the relevant investigative checks where necessary. The Authority conducts regular audits and security reviews of gun clubs, private security companies, shooting facilities, licensed firearm holders and their firearms and ensures public confidence in the integrity of systems and procedures utilized in the granting and renewal of firearm licences.
Correctional Services Production Company (COSPROD)
The Correctional Services Production Company liaises with the Department of Correctional Services in providing rehabilitative programmes and activities for offenders while enhancing their productive capacities in areas such as skilled work and agriculture.
Police Civilian Oversight Authority
The Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority was established August 21, 2006 as a mechanism, external to the Police Force, to ensure accountability, adherence to policy guidelines and observance of proper policing standards by the Force, thereby engendering increased public confidence.
The Authority may, where it considers necessary, refer a matter to the Police Service Commission, the Minister, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and the Commissioner of Police.
The primary functions are to:
- monitor the implementation of the policy relating to the force and auxiliaries as well as the Island Special Constabulary Force;
- monitor the standard of performance of the force and Auxiliaries to ensure that internationally accepted standards of policing are maintained, and to report thereon;
- conduct inspections of the Force and Auxiliaries;
- monitor the management and use of the financial and other resources of the Force and the Auxiliaries
- perform such other functions as may be necessary for promoting the efficiency of the Force and Auxiliaries.