By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
This little girl cuddled in the arms of Senior Superintendent Hector "Bingie" White (right), was one of several children who caught the attention of Toronto's Police Chief, Julian Fantino, during a tour of McKoy Lands in South West St. Andrew yesterday. During his brief stop, Mr. Fantino gave the children several souvenir tie pins of the Toronto Police Department. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
POLICE COMMISSIONER Francis Forbes, yesterday announced plans for major policy changes in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), including new guidelines for the use of force.
This is in addition to the drafting of a new training manual and the establishment of training units across the island and the retraining of trainers.
Members of the police force will also have to undergo an annual training and certification for the use of force and firearms as it moves to modernise its operations.
According to Mr. Forbes, a new anti-corruption policy document is now being examined and will form the basis for a written anti-corruption strategy to be implemented soon.
He said it was hoped that this will reduce the incidence of corruption in the JCF.
He also told reporters at a press conference yesterday that the JCF will purchase fewer lethal weapons and planned to restructure its arrest procedure to increase officers' and the public's safety. Commissioner Forbes said ambulances will soon be acquired to transport victims of shootings instead of the current practice of taking them to hospital in patrol cars.
"Qualified emergency response teams will man these ambulances which will be directed by a control centre simultaneously with other police response teams," the Commissioner said.
Visiting Toronto Police Chief, Julian Fantino, who was also at the press conference, said he and Commissioner Forbes discussed a number of crime-related issues.
Arising out of the discussions, an exchange programme is to be put in place to allow officers from both police services to spend at least a week working together.
"We have also decided to post liaison officers in both countries," said Mr. Forbes.
He pointed out that Assistant Commissioner Errol Strong was already based in Washington D.C. and recently Superintendent Albert Edwards and Detective Inspector McArthur Sutherland were re-assigned as liaison officers in the United Kingdom.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also developed between the JCF and their Toronto counterparts, providing a legal framework for the sharing of intelligence and information in a number of areas, as well as issues relating to border control.
Earlier yesterday after a tour of three inner-city communities, Chief Fantino said he was surprised to see the level of support members of the security forces had received from the Jamaican public.
"I am overwhelmed with what I saw. The security forces seem to be well-supported by the public," Chief Fantino told The Gleaner yesterday during a stop in Hannah Town, West Kingston.
He also toured sections of Tavares Gardens in South West St. Andrew where he received a warm welcome from scores of residents. Chief Fantino will leave the island this afternoon.
