KINGSTON, Jamaica - National Security Minister, Peter Bunting, says the complement of the island’s security forces is expected to increase by over 1600 come the end of the 2012/13 fiscal year in March. 

Speaking at a recent weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains held at the Eden Gardens complex, St Andrew, Bunting said this figure includes just over 1,000 recruited into the police force, and approximately 600 by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). 

He disclosed that approximately 760 of the police recruits would be assigned to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); 50, to the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF); with nearly 300 being drafted as District Constables (DCs). 

The 600 recruited by the JDF was done within the last 12 to 15 months, Bunting said.

One measure to address Jamaica’s crime problem, Bunting contended, was committing more resources, particularly personnel, to boost the security forces. He commented that “for a country with a big crime problem, we have not put our resources against that problem”.