JDF not happy with lifting of the State of Emergency

The lifting of the State of Emergency has curtailed the role and powers of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in assisting the police in carrying out cordons and searches.

Under the State of Emergency, the army was granted certain powers in conducting special anti-crime operations.

Among other things, military personnel could enter and search communities without the presence of the police.

JDF spokesman Colonel Rocky Meade says this has changed. 

“We had that authority under the State of Emergency but (with its end) we will have to do everything, particularly searches, with the police and so it may not necessarily reduce our effectiveness, but slow down the process. We’ll have to take a lot more time in doing what we do, going step by step,” Colonel Meade said.