Close to 200 police officers have been booted from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for their involvement in corrupt activities since the start of the year.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice, who is in charge of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), made the disclosure Thursday afternoon as he provided details on the forces anti-corruption strategies.
The revelation coincided with activities marking International Corruption Day.
ACP Felice said the arrests and dismissals are a major plank of the JCF's three-year anti-corruption strategy.
"One of those strategies is a cleansing programme to rid the organisation of officers who act unethically, corruptly, or who are not displaying the professionalism required of the JCF. To date, from January, 184 police officers have been removed from the organization, majority of whom have been refused re-enlistment," he said
ACP Felice also revealed that of the total number, 133 JCF members were not permitted to re-enlist; while 28 were retired in the public interest.
Twenty-three police officers were dismissed as a result of their involvement in corruption activities.
A further breakdown for the 11-month period reveals that 56 members of the force were arrested with 35 subsequently charged.
At the same time, 83 civilians were charged for breaches of the Anti-Corruption Act with 48 arrests.
Thirty-five JCF employees were also charged for corruption since the start of the year.
According to ACP Felice, while there could have been more arrests the results show that the war against corruption is on in earnest.
"I think we still need to do a lot more as the JCF but as the promotions process goes through, which I'm apart of, looking at some of the people going through, I'm encouraged by what I see. I can see that the managers are endorsing the fight against corruption in the organisation and the unethical behaviour which has tainted the force for some years. But we can't turn around the lack of investment and a lack of training and education over the last 30, 40 years, straight away, so it's going to take a long time but I'm encouraged and I know the Police Commissioner is encouraged by the progress we've made so far," ACP Felice said.
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