AN investigation has been launched to determine how a man, said to be of unsound mind, was Wednesday able to gain access to the police quarters and later outfitted himself in police uniform and bullet-proof vest.

A police source told the Jamaica Observer the man, who resides in Kingston 20, went unnoticed for hours and was only identified when he asked one of the officers at the station for $20.

He was later apprehended by a senior officer at the station, but was later released without charge after a meeting with family members who informed the police that he has mental challenges.

The incident has, however, triggered an investigation by the Inspectorate of the Constabulary (IOC).

“We can confirm that an incident of that nature took place and at this time the matter is being investigated by the Inspectorate of the Constabulary,” said a senior officer at the station.

The officer said a number of changes have also been implemented at the station since the incident to ensure that there is not a repeat of the breakdown of security procedures.

The changes will see improved vetting of people entering and leaving the facility to ensure that unauthorised individuals are prevented from getting past the guardroom.

The incident comes just few weeks past the anniversary of an incident in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, when a man, also said to be of unsound mind attacked and disarmed a traffic cop.