KINGSTON– Nearly 200 police officers have been dismissed from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for their involvement in corrupt activities since the start of the year, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice.
Felice, who is in charge of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), said the arrests and dismissals were a major plank of the three-year anti-corruption strategy of the police force.
“One of those strategies is a cleansing programme to rid the organisation of officers who act unethically, corruptly, or who are not displaying the professionalism required of the JCF.
“To date, from January, 184 police officers have been removed from the organization, majority of whom have been refused re-enlistment,” Felice said, adding that 28 officers were retired in the public interest.
According to Felice, while there could have been more arrests the results show that the war against corruption is on in earnest.
“…I’m encouraged by what I see. I can see that the managers are endorsing the fight against corruption in the organisation and the unethical behaviour which has tainted the force for some years.
“But we can’t turn around the lack of investment and a lack of training and education over the last 30, 40 years, straight away, so it’s going to take a long time but I’m encouraged and I know the Police Commissioner is encouraged by the progress we’ve made so far,” Felice said. (CMC)
