Police Federation asked to help curb corruption
Published:Thursday | May 12, 2016 | 12:00 AMChristopher Thomas
Western Bureau:
Minister of National Security Robert Montague has tasked the Jamaica Police Federation to play its part in ridding the police force of corruption and rogue agents who would foster criminality within its ranks.
"As the country invests in the police force, we are in exchange demanding a sustained fight against corruption within the force. We seek the partnership of the Federation and every one of you here today in this fight," Montague said in his address during the opening of the Federation's 73rd annual conference, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay on Wednesday.
"Corruption is not only taking a bribe or looking the other way. It is also not promoting people who deserve to be promoted, being involved in lottery scamming, removing the registration tag from service vehicles and using them as your own vehicles, and running your own illegal taxi while pressuring licensed taxi operators," Montague outlined to the delegates in attendance.
"I, on behalf of the citizens of Jamaica, ask the Federation to pledge its support and take firm action against corruption in the force," Montague added. "The fight against corruption must be total and unrelenting."
BREAKING THE SILENCE
In speaking to the issue of corruption, Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams warned the delegates that the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) can no longer afford to keep silent when they know about corruption in their ranks.
"There is no doubt at all that when a policeman gets involved in corrupt activities, some of his colleagues will know about it. Silence in the face of acts of corruption cannot be an option," said Williams.
"This is our organisation; we are the JCF and the JCF is us. We should not allow the corrupt among us to bring us to shame," the commissioner added.