Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington, has welcomed the approval of the merger of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
He said, the two entities have been operating as a virtual single force in recent times, but the realisation of all benefits required policy and legislative support.
According to the Commissioner, the existence of two separate legal entities, operating within the same space and performing similar and in some cases identical functions, presented a number of operational challenges.
The Police Commissioner argued that the merger will result in significant efficiency gains such as the implementation of a single command and communication structure, and also the elimination of duplication in administrative services.
He noted that other potential efficiency gains include expansion in the skill sets of police personnel, through the unification of training programmes; and the rationalization of various overheads such as rental of property.
The approval of the merger of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force, was approved after years of discussions spanning successive administrations.
The merger will be effected during the 2014/2015 financial year.
On Tuesday, National Security Minister, Peter Bunting, confirmed t that Cabinet approved the merger of the JCF and the ISCF through the incorporation of the members of both auxiliaries.
Bunting, said the merger will, among other things, result in an increase in the number of police engaged in front line crime prevention and control activities.
The merging of the two forces has been recommended by the Wolfe Report of 1991 as well as five separate reports and studies since.
On Tuesday morning, the National Security Minister this morning met with representatives of the police associations, the JCF and ISCF senior management, and senior policy managers of the Security Ministry.
At that meeting, it was agreed to establish an Implementation Task Force comprising representatives of these groups.
The aim is to finalize the draft implementation plan, which will include comprehensive communication with members of the JCF and ISCF, as well as the public to ensure a smooth transition.
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