THE constabulary says it will be implementing several short, medium and long-term measures to deal with corruption within it ranks, as part of its Anti-Corruption Strategy, launched Wednesday at the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston.

The constabulary said that under its new drive to tackle corruption it will:

. address the effective deployment of leadership to deal with instances of corruption and unethical behaviour;

. create and foster a climate that will empower all police officers to speak out against corruption;

. communicate internally and externally the strategic goals and actions in the fight against corruption;

. conduct honest, transparent and effective investigations which gain the trust and confidence of the police and the community.

The police chief, Lucius Thomas, was confident that the anti-corruption drive would help to restore public confidence in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

“This morning the police force is signalling to the country that we are not only prepared to talk about corruption, but are taking the necessary steps to curb the insidious actions of any police officer, in a bid to restore the confidence once displayed in us,” said Thomas. “The confidence of civil society is integral to successful policing, we must redeem the good name of the force at all costs,” he added.

Thomas said the new anti-corruption programme has the requisite focus and direction to suitably deal with reports, investigation and prosecution of cases against members of the force.

The commissioner said officers who supply information about the unprofessional behaviour of other members of the force will be protected under the strategy.

“This strategy offers protection for whistleblowers, thereby providing avenues for police officers to report the misconduct of their own colleagues,” Thomas said.

Dr Peter Phillips, the security minister, who also spoke at the launch, said it was important for members of the public as well as police officers themselves to report corrupt cops, to help reduce corruption in the constabulary.

“.Every member of the force needs to understand that those who breach the codes of conduct represent a threat to your own survival. They do not deserve your protection. The person you are protecting is the potential attacker of your families, and so the code of silence must go,” said Phillips.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Police Federation, which represents cops from the rank of constable to inspector, welcomed the constabulary’s new anti-corruption plan.

“Akin to our wage debate is the issue of public support, and in rooting out corruption within the force we will be able to win support which will assist greatly in our dispute with the government,” Corporal Hartley Stewart, general secretary of the Federation, told the Observer.