Police on parade in St. James.
RECRUITMENT TO bolster personnel in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is to begin immediately.
Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal from the national security ministry for a 1,500-man increase in the establishment.
This would increase the number of policemen and women to 10,000, up from the current 8,500.
National Security Minister, Peter Phillips, who first proposed the initiatives in a national broadcast on Sunday, said the JCF is to be eventually increased to 12,000.
"The decision will bring Jamaica's police establishment closer in line to the level of establishment across the Caribbean and other countries, and will provide the basis for putting more police on the streets," he stated yesterday at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, St. Andrew.
His national address followed last week's riot in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, after the October 30 police killing of Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett, leader of the Spanish Town-based 'Clansman' gang.
People's National Party supporters mounted roadblocks, burnt a bus, a car and the police post at the Spanish Town bus terminus.
MORE CIVILIANS IN THE FORCE
Meanwhile, Dr. Phillips said Cabinet also approved a proposal to include more civilians in the police force. He emphasised that 350 police posts would be pulled from desk jobs to allow police personnel to assume active duties.
