National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang
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Dr. Horace Chang
By Halshane Burke
National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has defended the quality of the bulletproof vests procured for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
The Jamaica Police Federation has accused the government of not procuring what it calls the "right type of bulletproof vests" for members.
Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James, claimed that a policeman shot by gunmen in Greenwich Farm, St. Andrew, last week, was not wearing the ideal vest.
Addressing the Standing Finance Committee Meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Minister Chang said while there have been supply challenges, the best quality vests are obtained for distribution to the police.
"The vest we acquire is of the appropriate and best quality for the men on the road. We may sometime have a gap in the numbers as they come in because of procurement and so forth, but the vests they get are of the best quality," he insisted.
Dr. Chang noted that the vests have a lifespan, so new ones have to be ordered in time to get the old ones removed from service in due course.
But he admitted that when there are gaps in supply, the officers may keep their old vests.
Dr. Chang said about 1000 bulletproof vests are currently being distributed.
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