KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, has ordered that no cop should be granted vacation leave over the coming Yuletide season.

In this week's force orders Ellington reminded Commanding Officers to manage the granting of vacation leave and departmental leave in the period leading up to and during the yuletide season.

Rule 4.16 of the Constabulary's rule book states:

‘Departmental leave may not be granted to any member between the 20th December and the 6th day of January, except in exceptional circumstances.’

"Steps are therefore to be taken to ensure the availability of an adequate number of personnel to treat with the exigencies associated with the period leading into the Christmas period. Commanding Officers are also required to submit a report to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration in instances where members granted vacation leave or departmental leave up to December 19, report sick thereafter," Ellington said.