JCF, ISCF merger complete
Published:Friday | May 16, 2014 | 12:00 AM
THE MERGER of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is a done deal, waiting now to be gazetted.
Minister of National Security Peter Bunting said it cannot be gazetted before the Police Services Commission meets. That meeting is expected to be held today.
"The merger is effectively complete, with a few adjustments to be made," Bunting told Wednesday's post-sectoral debate presentation press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Bunting earlier this year got the go ahead from Cabinet for the one police force idea, aimed at increasing the numbers in the police force. He noted that the members of both entities were very welcoming of the idea.
"There were not widespread objections of all those who had the opportunity to voluntarily transfer, and we had a 90 per cent cooperation," he said.
Bunting added: "They stated that there were no objections to the idea and, within a few days, signed off on it. I think they never anticipated that it would have happened so quickly and now that's behind us and we are looking on moving forward."
Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington addressed the issues of the ISCF members having to pay for their uniforms.
"I have been trying to find who those persons so affected are," he said.
Free uniforms
Ellington said members of the force receive their uniforms free of cost.
"Every member of the force from the rank of sergeant to constable has been issued uniforms, free of cost - they do not pay for it. The members from inspector to commissioner have to pay for their uniform. So those who are coming across have been issued uniforms, and no matter how well shaped you are, all members are accustomed to adjusting their uniforms if adjustment needed to be done," he said.
The merging of the two forces was recommended by the Wolfe Report of 1991 and five separate reports and studies since.