POCA: Basic resource shortage hampering JCF’s Marine Division

A police oversight body has unearthed several issues it says has weakened the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Marine Division’s effectiveness in preventing and combating crime along the coastline and in the island’s territorial waters.

The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) has lamented the poor accommodation and working conditions for marine staff.

“The conditions are both untenable and unsuitable as the areas (some in containers) serving as workplaces are too small, cramped, and lack the very basic office amenities such as sanitary conveniences [and] a kitchen, in addition to proper equipment and furniture,” the PCOA reported.

In its July to September issue of the PCOA Monitor, the agency said that with the exception of Kingston, all outposts were inadequately staffed.

The PCOA said that there was evidence of this when the team observed only two officers on duty at an outpost when a cruise ship was docked. This, therefore, precluded them from conducting any patrols, the PCOA observers said.

In addition, given the inadequate staff numbers, there was also evidence of personnel working above the 50-hour weekly requirement.

The PCOA team inspected the headquarters of the Marine Division in Kingston and 12 of its 13 outposts across the country.

While the division had a staff complement of 182, it had a total working strength of 153 at the time of inspection and included a management team of four.

According to JCF policy, the divisional management structure should be headed by a superintendent, who is assisted by seven deputy superintendents of police (DSP) and two inspectors.

However, the PCOA said that the division had one DSP and two inspectors, which made it difficult for the management team to adequately carry out its tasks, especially those related to overseeing and coordinating the daily operations.

In determining if the Marine Division was equipped with the basic resources to execute its mandate and duties, the PCOA team zeroed in on the state of the fleet of its motor and aquatic vehicles during its inspection in July, noting the low number of serviceable vessels.

Exacerbating the problem was that the vessels utilised were not the most appropriate to perform effective surveillance activities with the majority having no covering, which exposed personnel to risks associated with poor weather conditions.

“In fact, the team observed that after conducting marine patrols, several of the personnel were soaking wet; however, [they] could not change, owing to the insufficient issuing of uniforms,” the PCOA added.

The PCOA reported that four outposts were without a working vessel.

“The remaining eight outposts had working vessels,” it added, “however, these vessels, though being serviced by the division, were either in need of maintenance or repair.”

Further, the police oversight body revealed that the workspaces at a number of outposts were cramped and constricting.

“Five of them alone were housed in containers shared with other agencies. Indeed, most were inadequate to accommodate staff and conduct administrative and operational duties.”

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang said that the Holness administration, which took the reins of Government in 2016, inherited the poor conditions at police stations and facilities across the country. However, he said that some areas have been prioritized and refurbishing works are being done at some facilities.

Further, Chang said that “much of the coastal police work is being done by the marine brigade of the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force)”.

He said that the police still play an active role and work closely with the JDF Coast Guard, which has patrol vessels to carry out surveillance activities along the country’s borders.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com