Bunting wants talks with special constabulary union

National Security Minister Peter Bunting has invited members of the Special Constabulary Force Association (SCFA) to meet with him to discuss remaining concerns that they may have about the Government's decision to incorporate the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) into the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Bunting's invitation comes in the wake of Thursday's ruling in the Supreme Court in which the Court struck out an order granting leave for the SCFA to have the decision to incorporate the ISCF into the JCF reviewed by the Judicial Review Court.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, on April 7, began issuing letters of reassignment to members of the ISCF. He acted on the February 24, 2014 decision of the Cabinet that the forces be merged.

The reassignments were to come into effect on May 1.

However, on April 11, following a ruling of the Supreme Court, the national security minister announced that the re-assignments of the members of the ISCF may be deferred.

Based on Thursday's Supreme Court ruling, the reassignment of the members of the ISCF has gone ahead as planned.

The minister's decision to proceed with the implementation of the policy decision to merge the forces is based on the fact that over 90 per cent of members of the SCFA and 100 per cent of members of the ISCF Officers' Association, have already indicated their voluntary acceptance of reassignment.