Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has reiterated that there will be no merger of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Mr. Patterson, who is also Minister of Defence, insisted that there should be co-operation between the two entities but said they would be kept separate under the Strategic Defence Review and National Security Strategy. Both these documents are expected to go for review by Cabinet in the next few weeks.
Speaking to troops at the JDF's headquarters at Up Park Camp, St. Andrew, yesterday Mr. Patterson said: "I do not contemplate that we are going down any route that will result in any merger of the Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
"While there are those who question the role of the Jamaica Defence Force, I have a very simple position and response," he continued.
"If the JDF did not exist we would have to invent it."
He commended the work of the JDF and contrasted its performance in times of disaster with post-Hurricane Katrina efforts in the United States.
JDF LAUDED
"Given the resources that we have available to us, we have been able to do a commendable job and the JDF, to a great extent, has helped to make this possible," said Mr. Patterson.
He assured troops that against the background of public sector workers having their pay and conditions reviewed under the public sector Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that their interests would not be forgotten. JDF members cannot join unions or engage in collective bar-gaining (unlike the JCF).
As head of the National Housing Trust (NHT), Mr. Patterson said he was recom-mending that accommodation be improved with the construction of 300 houses to replace barracks accommodation for 1,200 troops.
