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Fix the JCF’s staff shortage

Published:Tuesday | January 18, 2022 | 12:06 AM

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Any organisation with a 7,000 staff shortage is going to be at a great disadvantage and even moreso where the critical job of crime fighting is concerned. Unfortunately, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is one such organisation that is caught in this greatly challenging predicament.

As such, creative ways need to be found to fill such a significant shortage of manpower. The following are some suggestions in that regard:

(1) Offer deportees and, in particular, those from the United Kingdom, given their high numbers and low job prospects - who fall within the age cohort accepted by the JCF training academy - training and subsequent recruitment in the JCF, alongside an ongoing mental and emotional rehabilitation programme.

(2) Launch an intensive media and on-the-ground community-to-community campaign to recruit JCF trainees, with the offers/incentives of a cash payment of $10,000 upon registering, and a weekly stipend of $5,000 throughout the training period.

Unless and until the JCF fills its staff deficit, gangs and other dangerous criminal elements within Jamaica will be 7,000 per cent more likely to succeed in their nefarious activities.

PATRICK GALLIMORE

pagalley@protonmail.com