Another British police officer is to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), bringing to four the number of senior officers from the former 'mother country' to be brought into the JCF.

National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, announced yesterday that Justin Felice, currently serving in the Northern Ireland Police Service, will join the JCF at the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibilities for anti-corruption activities.

Dr. Phillips, making his contribution to the 2007/2008 Sectoral Debate, disclosed that Assistant Commissioner Felice will assume duties in September.

Felice will join fellow Britons - Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields, Assistant Commissioner Leslie Greene, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Robinson - who have been recruited over the last two years to strengthen the management of the 142-year-old JCF.

Explaining the rationale for the latest appointment, Dr. Phillips said that despite the advances made by the Professional Standards Branch in rooting out corruption among members of the force, more still needed to be done.

"If people believe that police abuse their powers or are excessively violent or corrupt, then the trust of the populace is lost and it will be impossible to secure their support," he stressed.

The Professional Standards Branch is currently headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Novlette Grant, a highly regarded officer who has risen through the ranks of the JCF. Dr. Phillips did not explain whether her role would be redefined in light of the new appointment, or whether the two will play complementary roles.