JUSTIN Felice, the assistant commissioner of police who has been appointed head of the Financial Investigations Division (FID), yesterday pledge to "robustly tackle" corruption and financial crimes, which he said have been negatively affecting the Jamaican economy over the years.

"[I] will be tackling money laundering, financial crimes and corruption, which are affecting Jamaica's economy," Felice told the Jamaica Observer.

"Financial crimes will be tackled in the future very, very robustly," said Felice, who served as head of the constabulary's Anti-Corruption Branch for the last five years.

He added: "The aim is to make Jamaica an investor-friendly environment and to make sure people are safe with their finances."

He said that he hoped that the efforts of the FID would receive the necessary support from Jamaica and also from the country's international partners.

Felice's appointment as head of the FID was announced in a release by the Ministry of Finance, under whose purview the division falls. He took up the post yesterday.

The FID is responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the Money Laundering Act, the Financial Institutions Act as well as the Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act.

Felice was approached by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips around April to replace acting head Albert Stephens. Felice said he was scheduled to return home to England in September when his contract expires.

Meanwhile, Felice hailed Senior Superintendent Selvin Hay, his former deputy at the Anti-Corruption Branch, saying that he is ready to take the department to the "next level".