Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

The appointment to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) of one of the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) leading anti-corruption detectives could damage that country's own reform effort.

Justin Felice is one of five British senior officers recruited to ranks of assistant commissioner and above, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields, to assist the modernisation of the JCF.

The Press Association of the United Kingdom reported concerns from within the office of the Police Ombudsman, which is independent of PSNI, that it would lose expertise with the departure of Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan and her deputy Mr. Felice, after they led politically charged internal investigations. The PSNI has itself recruited foreign officers to boost reform, two of whom are being tipped to replace Mrs. O'Loan.

Anti-corruption specialist

The 51-year-old Mr. Felice was recruited to the PSNI from England four years ago, and has specialised in anti-corruption during his 30-year career.

As deputy to the police ombudsman, Mr. Felice should be familiar with the corruption problems facing the JCF. The PSNI was reformed as part of the 'peace process' following a history of complicity with Protestant loyalist terrorist groups defending British rule against Catholic Republican groups who have fought to unite the country with the Republic of Ireland to the south.

Minister of National Security Dr. Peter Phillips told The Gleaner that he hoped the recruitment would have an impact, given similar challenges facing both police forces.

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com