New murder record

[Lazie]

JCF data reveals that more people were murdered in 2009 than 2008

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has released the murder figures for 2009.

The data show that 62 more people were killed last year than in 2008.

A total of 1,680 persons were reported murdered in 2009 compared with the one thousand 618 in 2008 and 1,583 in 2007.

The gun was the most popular weapon of choice and was used in 77 per cent or 1,293 of the murders followed by the knife which was reported in 14 per cent or 227 of the cases.

There was a slight reduction in the number of women and children killed in 2009 compared with the previous year.

Two less women were killed last year down from the 165 reported in 2008.

And 13 less children were killed last year than the 94 reported in 2008.

Gang related murders accounted for the highest number or 52 per cent of the reported killings.

[Lazie]

Di man dem need fi stop drag dem foot pon this. Time and again we've heard that gangs are responsible for 80% of the murders. Suh what the fornication dem nuh target the gangs? Then again, when members of the JCF are themselves gang members what do we expect? This trend cannot continue.

[Lazie]

JCF to Add 800 More Cops this Year

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is planning to increase personnel by 800 recruits this year.

This would increase the size of the JCF to 9,200, and police complement to 13,000, including the additional 1,800 members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and 2,000 Special Constables.

This was revealed by Communications Director for the JCF, Karl Angel, at a press briefing at the Police Officers' Club, Hope Road, Kingston, Thursday morning (January 7).

He said that the JCF has ramped up its recruiting drive, with the two training facilities now at capacity. Since January, 250 recruits have been enrolled at Tranquility Bay and the Police Academy at Twickenham Park. This is in addition to District Constables, who are also in training.

Mr. Angel says that although the aim is to increase the size of the JCF to 12,000, realistically, the JCF is hoping to add 800 to its establishment in 2010. Presently, there are 8,400 in the force.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Glenmore Hinds, said that, as part of its strategy to reduce crime, the operations arm of the JCF will continue to beef up personnel deployed on the streets.

The police want to have 80 per cent of its human resources visible, with the remainder committed to administrative and investigative duties, Mr. Hinds said.

He noted that there is a direct correlation between reducing criminal free space, by having more police on the streets and the ability for criminals to commit offences.

"It's about controlling public spaces that will lead to a reduction in crime," he remarked.

Mr. Hinds cautioned, however, that murders occur in diverse places, and increasing the number of police in public places may not necessarily prevent a murder from being committed in the home, for example.

Meanwhile, DCP Hinds said there would be variations, according to areas, in the overall strategies employed in carrying out its operations this year.

"What is currently taking place is that each geographic division, using the Commissioners' strategic priority as a base document, has developed their own sets of priorities and they have set their own targets, which are being finalized and also their operation inputs," he explained.

DCP Hinds added that there will be a variation of the strategies employed, because all divisions do not have the same characteristics.


http://www.jis.gov.jm/security/html/..._THIS_YEAR.asp

[Lazie]

Bettah dem hire more cops from overseas cause wha we currently have not effective enough. Who say BlackWater?

[Hortical]

Damn, we will certainly miss out on the trophy for the murder capitol of the world. Baghdad, Kabul, Islamabad and Medellin caan test we, but the run away winner for 2009 is Juárez, Mexico.

[Peter R]

Well, if we going to outlay that kind of money we might as well pay it to our own and attract a really and truly professional police force.

[Don1]

Well, if we going to outlay that kind of money we might as well pay it to our own and attract a really and truly professional police force.

We do need a professional police service (a force is not what we need)... but there is no viable police/paramilitary solution to Jamaica's crime problem.

The people in charge still don't know this or are afraid to state it.

[Assasin]

ah bwoy what more can one say

[Peter R]

You say po-tay-to I say po-tah-to LOL. ok sir "service" is a very good and indeed the appropriate word.

The point is that until we equip this very important SERVICE with the quality that is it needs we'll always be arresting 150+ of its members every year for corruption etc and more importantly, NOT SOLVING or addressing criminal activity in a manner that will begin to rid society of some of the problems that a PROFESSIONAL police SERVICE can address.