Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTHE POLICE Officers' Association (POA), in an unprecedented move, has charged that a reduction in the budgetary allocation by Government is preventing members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from effectively fighting the wave of crime sweeping the country.
Senior Superintendent Leon Rose, chairman of the POA, made those observations yesterday, during a press conference held at the Medallion Hall Hotel, St. Andrew.
Close to 1,000 persons have been murdered in Jamaica since the start of the year at least 37 in the past week. Meanwhile the bloodletting continued in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, yesterday, as two more persons were killed.
TOLD TO PRIORITISE
According to SSP Rose, at the start of the 2004/05 financial year, the JCF had requested just over $11 billion from the government, but only $8 billion was approved. The senior officers said when concerns were raised, they were told to prioritise their activities.
"Each month, the money received is reduced and this significantly undermines operational capability. As recent as this month, the warrant from the Ministry of Finance was short by over $90 million," the POA chairman said.
The senior officers lashed out against the shortage of equipment, uniforms and safety gear to help them tackle the escalating crime wave.
While the minimum fleet requirement for the JCF is 1,500 motor cars and 326 motorcycles, the Force only has 1,023 motor cars, half of which are more than 10 years old. The current motorcycle fleet is 260, with 195 more than seven years old, according to the POA. The officers said the vehicles were no longer efficient as they record at least 100,000 kilometres each year.
BATTLE-WEARY
"We are feeling battle-weary in trying to get these resources. It makes you feel stressed. It takes you away from tactical duties," Assistant Commissioner Novelette Grant pointed out.
A study by the POA revealed that vehicles over three years old are not efficient for police use and are deemed unreliable in most countries. Reports are that the average cost for maintenance and minor repairs per unit, per year, is between $250,000 and $300,000 for cars three years old and over.
The POA pointed out that the JCF had not been able to outfit its members with basic uniform requirements for the past three years. It said the Force urgently needs $271 million to adequately outfit members to avert further embarrassment.
Another $654 million is needed to purchase safety gear such as bullet-proof vests, helmets, handcuffs, tear gas and batons. This does not include provisions for new recruits.
