Gov't spending $11.7 million to upgrade JCF canine division

The Ministry of National Security is spending $11.7 million to upgrade the Canine Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Portfolio Minister Robert Montague said this is in anticipation of new dogs that have been purchased to fight crime.

The division has more than 50 dogs which specialise in detecting narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. 

There are also four cadaver dogs for locating human remains, as well as doing search and rescue operations for persons who may be lost.

The government has purchased 20 specially trained dogs from Colombia for crime fighting.

Twelve have arrived in the country.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Montague said the dogs have been properly vaccinated but are currently being quarantined.

An additional seven dogs, which can detect firearms, have also been bought and are currently in the United States where they are being trained.

The firearm is a major feature of most crimes in Jamaica.

Montague said 833 illegal guns have been seized by the police since the start of the year.

He said over 700 of these guns do not have a ballistic history in Jamaica signifying that they are new weapons that entered the country.