The move comes just a week after Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, said he would be looking to develop the necessary policy on the use of non-lethal weapons for the security forces.

US Ambassador to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater, said starting later this year, the US government will provide the Ministry with handcuffs, batons, pepper sprays and equipment belts for approximately 6,500 frontline officers attached to the JCF. She said the donations would be made over the course of three years. She made the announcement yesterday (at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Old Hope Road, St. Andrew.) during the handing over of some 500 ballistic vests, 20 vehicles and 500 tactical uniforms, worth approximately $64 million, for members of the JCF.

Mrs. Bridgewater said the non-lethal weapons are to assist Jamaica’s police in its aim to use less deadly force and equipment in the fight against crime. According to her, “To accompany this equipment for non-lethal use, the Embassy will work with the JCF to provide extensive training on how to use the equipment, and how and when to apply that equipment under the JCF’s Application of Force Policy” .

He stated:

“Divisional commanders are to increase road-policing activities, deployments in market districts, shopping centres, commercial areas, transportation centres and along major thoroughfares,” Ellington said in the Force Orders issued yesterday … Special attention must be paid to financial institutions and all entities generating significant cash transactions.”

Divisional commanders were reminded also, that in preparation for the heightened activities during the Christmas season, administrative duties should be scaled down and the personnel should be deployed to operational duties.

Supreme Court Judge Donald McIntosh, in handing down the ruling yesterday, said it was a good thing to have retired police officers on the board because they were familiar with the system … more here [Gleaner Report]

In the Force Orders issued yesterday, Commissioner Ellington stated: “Commencing immediately, the Representation of the People Act and the Public Order Act must form the subject of lectures for the next eight weeks and the names of all persons who attend forwarded to area headquarters. Selection, vetting and training of special district constables must also be a priority over the next eight weeks.”

Commissioner Ellington also highlighted that members of the security forces are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that law and order is maintained at all political and public meetings leading up to the general election: “Once nomination day is announced, all meetings conducted by politicians leading up to election day are dubbed political meetings and the full extent of the Public Order Act must be applied … Polling stations are manned by presiding officers, poll clerks and other election-day workers who should be properly identified on election day. Their security must be guaranteed by the security forces for them to carry out their functions in an effective and efficient manner … If a person misconducts himself in a polling station, or fails to obey the lawful orders of the presiding officer, he may immediately, by order of the presiding officer, be removed from the polling station by a police constable.“

The Commissioner stated: “It has come to notice that since the modification of the procedures regarding the investigation of accidents involving force vehicles, there has been an increase in the number of persons involved in accidents with police vehicles being charged/ticketed for breaches of the Road Traffic Act immediately after the accident.”

“From all appearances, this practice represents an effort by police officers to place blame for the accident on the other party to the accident …. This practice must cease forthwith. On no occasion must the other party in an accident involving a police vehicle be charged before the ruling of the clerk of courts is obtained.”

Commissioner Ellington also reiterated the commands that were issued in June this year “regarding the procedures for investigation of accidents involving force vehicles”. Among other things, the force orders clearly stated that members of the police force involved in a crash must be breathalysed within four hours of the accident or as soon as possible within a 24-hour window.

The JCF orders also outlined that the “responsibility for the proper investigation of an accident involving a force vehicle rests with the officer in charge of the division where the accident has occurred”. It also noted that “every accident involving a force vehicle must be investigated by a sub-officer not below the rank of sergeant.

“Each accident will be reported within 24 hours to the commissioner of police, deputy commissioner of police, inspectorate of constabulary, the assistant commissioner of police in charge Services Branch, senior superintendent of police in charge Traffic Division and superintendent of police in charge Transport and Repairs Division, and the damaged unit immediately taken out of service,” read another section of the force orders.

The instrument of appointment was given at King’s House by the Governor General of Jamaica on September 27, 2011, under section 3(1) of the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority Act, which provides for the establishment of the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority, and for the appointment of a chairman.

Commissioner Ellington stated “It is noted that despite the republications of instructions … the practice of police witnesses failing to attend courts still gives cause for concern … The unnecessary delays caused by such non-attendance may be classified as discourtesy, disrespect and contempt of the courts and the process of justice.”

He warned that if for any good reason they were unable to attend court when required, every effort should be made to inform the court in good time before the hearing, giving reasons for the non-attendance. He added, “Every case of infringement will be regarded as disobedience of my orders, and disciplinary action will be taken by way of court of enquiry.“

Despite its impressive track record in containing crime, the Hanover police have expressed concern about the influx of migratory criminals into their area, but are banking on community-policing strategies to help stem the trend.

“We have been keeping an eye on those outside influences, who mainly because of the lotto scam seek refuge in our parish, but we have been getting information on these persons, and for us it is just a matter of time,” said Sergeant Charlene Gray Morris, head of the Community Safety and Security Branch/Training … more here

According to the Commissioner (in the Force Orders), “Drivers who display a lackadaisical attitude, fail to display due care and responsibility, who have repeated disciplinary issues and frequent accidents and have a tendency to speed unnecessarily should be removed from driving assignments forthwith.”

He added that information on those drivers who have been relieved of driving duties should be passed to the assistant commissioner of police in charge of administration, “with a view to cease payment of the relevant allowance”.

The review will be conducted by local commanding officers.