Jamaican Police.Com

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, has ordered the immediate interdiction of special constable Ricardo Lewis (of the Mobile Reserve), who allegedly assaulted a CVM-TV cameraman at the scene of a police killing in St. Ann on Saturday, July 3.

Lewis has been ordered interdicted, pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter. The action was deemed necessary as a result of questionable behaviour on the part of the policeman while on duty at the scene of a fatal shooting. Commissioner Ellington also sought to remind all members of the police force, of the need to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, so that the Jamaica Constabulary Force can continue to enjoy much-needed support from the Jamaican public that it serves.

Tags : Civilian Assaulted By Police, CVM-TV Cameraman, Mobile Reserve, police assault, Police Interdicted, Police Interdiction, Ricardo Lewis

22 year old Constable Jerome Bryan, from the St. Andrew Central Division, appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he faced charges of possession of a restricted weapon, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a chilum pipe.

The court heard that the accused was held in Westport, St. Catherine, on June 20, with a magazine and a BB gun, a chilum pipe and several rounds of ammunition. He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000, on condition that he reports to the Bridgeport police twice weekly, surrender his travel documents and stay home between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

Tags : Breaches Of The Firearms Act, Jerome Bryan

The police were recently presented with three customised mobile police stations, and three fully equipped mobile forensic units. The vehicles were donated to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) by the UK’s Department For International Development (DFID), as part of the British Government’s ongoing efforts to assist the Jamaican Government with the modernisation of its police force.

It is hoped that these vehicles will assist the JCF with regard to the investigation of crime scenes, facilitating the preservation of evidence in transport through temperature-controlled storage, and developing community safety and community policing in Jamaica. The mobile forensic units are equipped with a generator, lighting, tent and a number of other technical pieces of equipment to enhance the service delivery, including a refrigerator to preserve forensic samples.

The units, which cost a total of US$711,867.50, were handed over to the JCF by Deputy British High Commissioner to Jamaica – Graham Glover – at a ceremony at the Office of the Commissioner of Police on Hope Road, St Andrew.

Tags : Department For International Development, Mobile Forensic Unit, Mobile Forensic Units, mobile police station, mobile police stations

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the post of Chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Job Summary: The successful candidate will oversee the moral and spiritual discipline of the Force. The post is non-denominational and non-doctrinal, but it is expected that the scriptures of the Christian religion will be used to encourage temperance and fortitude in the Police person responding continually to danger.

Key Competences:

• Excellent listening skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Sound problem-solving skills
• High level of confidentiality

Minimum qualification

• Graduate of an accredited Theological Institution, with at least a Post-Graduate qualification in Theology
• Ordained to the Ministry in a recognized Denomination
• Possess counseling skills and knowledge in ethics and psychology
• Must be in good standing with and recommended by their Denomination

Applications with resumes should be sent to the:
Senior Director, Human Resource Management & Development – Jamaica Constabulary Force
NCB South Tower, 3rd Floor
2 Oxford Road, Kingston 10

No later than July 16, 2010. Only short-listed applicants will receive a response.

Tags : Chaplain, Chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force Chaplain, JCF Chaplain, Police Chaplain

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has condemned the actions of a policeman who had a confrontation with (and allegedly assaulted) a CVM TV correspondent (cameraman) who attempted to film the scene of an alleged police killing in St Ann on Saturday, July 3.

According to reports, the cameraman was attempting to film the scene where 31 year old shopkeeper, Donovan ‘Zabo’ Pottinger had been killed. He was filming the scene from beyond a police cordon, but was told to turn off the camera. The correspondent, who did not comply, received an injury to his hand, as well as a damage to his camera, as the policeman attempted to seize it. He was also detained and later released.

The PAJ has described the policeman’s behaviour as “atrocious”. Byron Buckley, president of the PAJ, in a press statement on Sunday said “We are astounded that a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force could so blatantly attack a journalist while carrying out his legitimate duties … The PAJ is acutely disappointed that the police continue to harass journalists in this manner, despite the Police High Command agreeing with the association more than a year ago to promulgate rules of engagement.”

The PAJ has called on Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington to investigate the attack on the journalist on Saturday, and to take appropriate disciplinary action.

President of the Media Association Jamaica (MAJ), Gary Allen, also criticised the policeman’s action, and said that the MAJ was in support of ridding all behaviour that impinged on journalists’ rights to carry out their lawful duties.

Below is a Las May cartoon about the matter. It appeared in today’s Jamaica Gleaner newspaper.

Tags : police abuse, police assault, Press Association of Jamaica