COPS FLEE FORCE

Police men and women are reportedly leaving the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) “in droves” with almost all divisions impacted by the exodus, especially since late last year.

“Persons are submitting resignations left, right and centre. It is right across the JCF; even specialised operations are being jolted,” Corporal Rohan James, chairman of the Police Federation, declared.

James was also responding to reports that at least 25 members of the force have resigned from one police division since the start of the year.

On the weekend, however, The Gleaner could not get confirmation from commanders of the division. However, members of the upper command said they were not aware of any “significant amount of resignations”.

It seems North America and other Caribbean territories are increasingly becoming escape hatches for Jamaican cops, even as the Constabulary boasts of increased intakes and graduates at training school.

“There are a number of reasons why they quitting. Some are leaving for greener pastures; some are just tired of the crime, salary, the lack of resources, the disrespect, you name it,” James told The Gleaner on Saturday. “A lot of them have left Jamaica, and a lot of them are in other armed forces across the region.”

Regionally, the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands seem to be most alluring to Jamaican policemen, James said, adding that he is still trying to get a tally of the overall number of resignations islandwide.

“There is uneasiness, and I will address it in the coming days. Some things are brewing, but we are not saying anything as yet. I'm just making sure that I deal with the issues in motion and we can talk after that,” he told The Gleaner when pressed for further details.

Last week, the chairman urged cops to “stay focused; we are continuing the mission”, while warning their employer: “A word to the wise is sufficient ... . They must stir response to those who stir response to duty's call.”

James' statement followed warnings he made at the start of the new year that policemen and women were not prepared to “take the crumbs”, with regard to compensation packages from what he described as a “dictatorial approach being taken by the Government”.

Last year, some 15 trade unions signed on to a new compensation package offered to public sector workers, but the Jamaica Police Federation has been among those holding out for better remuneration.

'SALARY NOT SO HOT'

“It happens so often that if you see your colleagues go off on a long vacation, you really don't expect to see them back,” remarked a senior policeman at one station in St Catherine. “From just the CIB (Criminal Investigations Branch) office alone, I can count about 10 people who leave.”

“The salary is not so hot; the Government can do better. And on top of getting little for your pay, we have to be tapping into our own resources to get the work done,” said the cop, citing no landlines at at least two police stations in Portmore, forcing them to do work with personal cellular phones.

One station, he said, was operating with a donated printer that has not been in use because the officers can't afford to purchase ink.

In Kingston Central, one policewoman told The Gleaner that she, too, could easily recall several officers who have left the job. She is also thinking about quitting in the coming months, but worries about the impact on her pension.

Added to that, the officer said, is the increased threat level from criminals after they have relinquished their policing powers and service firearm.

As a senior corporal, she said that she earns $196,000 monthly before deductions. From that, she pays a mortgage, which is $38,000; her son's expenses, at roughly $30,000; and electricity bill, at roughly $15,000. She also has to finance her mother's medical expenses as well as food and transportation costs for herself.

“Sometimes I don't know how I will survive. I just do it because it is what I have. I am not going to just get up like some police do and run away,” said the officer, who has been in the force for more than a decade and is now considering migrating to the United States.

“Most of the people who don't resign is because they want to protect their pensions. They don't want to jeopardise that. It is mostly the younger officers who are migrating,” she added.

RESIGNATION MET WITH HOSTILITY

Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers could not say the total number of resignations from his St Catherine North Police Division last year, but confirmed that there has been none since the start of the year.

“Personally, I think there has been a reduction in the resignation numbers when compared to when I was at Kingston West. Out there had a higher attrition rate than at Spanish Town,” noted Chambers, pointing out that operations are not greatly impacted by resignations, as usually notices are given and preparations made, “just like in any other company”.

He said that officers who leave the force without notice forfeit their benefits.

But it is not so cut and clean, charged one officer stationed in the Corporate Area. Resignation, he said, is often met with hostility by some commanders.

“When you apply to resign, you are refused resignation and then the commanding officer, in turn, orders you to report for duties,” he alleged. “When they report, they are then terminated, and then it becomes a dismissal rather than resignation. This is unfair because some people just really want to move on with their lives.”

Questioned on the issue by The Sunday Gleaner, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Clifford Blake, who is in charge of operations, directed the queries to DCP Richard Stewart, head of administration, whose phone rang unanswered when our newsroom called.

Blake noted, however, that despite the high crime rate, police operations are not being heavily impacted by any increase in resignations.

“I'm not aware that there is a significant amount of resignations because we graduate roughly 600 people between November and December. You wouldn't feel the effect when you have that high level input there,” said Blake.

THE JOB MUST BE DONE

At the start of December last year, 323 newly trained police officers hit the streets as the JCF continued a drive to find more crime-fighters, with preliminary homicide figures just short of 1,500 last year. The new recruits were reportedly equipped with improved skills and competencies.

“There are still naysayers out there who will see the police in a negative light. The argument of negativity and neglect that has affected the police force for years, which is far from the truth, will continue,” National Security Minister Horace Chang told the graduates during his keynote address.

Still, he said, the job must be done.

According to the 2021 Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica, “The strength of the Jamaica Constabulary Force as at December 31 increased by 2.0 per cent to 12,018, and as a result the force operated at 14.7 per cent below the established size.”

More than 70 per cent of members were males, while the outfit of district constables stood at 2,021.

At that time, the report noted: “A total of 378 officers left the force. Resignation and retirement continued to be the main reasons for attrition. Eight officers were killed in the line of duty.”

In 2017, the opposition People's National Party and the Jamaica Police Federation pushed back at amendments to the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act, which provide for a three-month imprisonment or a fine of $250,000 for sub-officers and constables who fail to give six months' notice of resignation.

It was not clear to what degree this is being enforced.

corey.robinson@gleanerjm.com