KINGSTON, Jamaica – Security Minister Peter Bunting today announced the creation of a security oversight body to improve “participation and accountability as well as providing a more objective and authoritative assessment of developments in this complex area”.

Bunting said the decision was made last week to establish a ‘Rule of Law Working Group’ of the Partnership of Jamaica.

This working group, he added, is similar to the EPOC and ESET teams which are successfully assisting in the areas economy and energy.

“It will give our citizens a greater voice and influence in this national effort to reduce the unacceptably high levels of crime and violence, especially murders, and create a safer Jamaica,” the security minister said. 

The Rule of Law Working Group will be chaired by attorney-at-law Howard Mitchell, vice-president of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, who has significant experience in chairing both public and private sector boards. 

 Membership of the working group will be drawn from the Partnership for Jamaica, which comprises representatives of major organisations and interest groups in the society.

Bunting was speaking Monday at a ceremony to hand over 64 new motor vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.