Chang explains 'glorified security guards' comments to cops
Published:Saturday | October 6, 2018 | 9:37 AM
Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang yesterday sought to clarify public comments he made likening the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to “glorified security guards.”
The explanation reportedly came during a meeting between Chang and members of the Police Federation at his St Andrew offices.
While addressing a discussion forum nearly two weeks ago, Chang said the JCF was largely designed to protect the interest of property owners "where we trained them for six months in military drill, gave them some discipline, gave them a big pine baton and a Lee Enfield rifle and then we complain that they shoot or beat up somebody."
A statement from the Ministry of National Security said during yesterday’s meeting Chang told the union that represents rank-and-file police personnel that media reports about his comments suggested that they were in reference to the current members of the JCF as opposed to the system and structure of the force.
“The men and women who comprise the police force are intelligent, highly-skilled, and resilient Jamaicans who commit to protect and serve our country,” the statement quoted the security minister as saying.
The ministry said Chang addressed concerns raised by the Police Federation, but reiterated the government’s intention to transform the JCF.
“The current institution and systems of the police force, with its historical roots in colonialism, must be changed to represent our current reality,” he insisted.
However, Chang sought to make it clear that the JCF, in its current state, “does not have the structure and institutional agility required to ensure maximum output and efficiency from our officers.”
“It is against this reality that the Ministry of National Security is firmly committed to ensuring that the new Police Act, which will guide the institutional change, must not be simply adjusted or revised, but must be fully renewed and contain within it, the requisite framework to adequately deliver policing to the country,” the statement said.
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