KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a scathing rebuke of Minister of National Security, Robert Montague, the Police Officers Association (POA) says it is concerned about the serious distractions from the management of major crime in recent times and has accused the minister of directly interfering in the operations portfolio of the Commissioner of Police.

In a press release issued late today (Sunday), under the signature of chairman, Superintendent of Police, Catherine Lord, the POA made it clear that the actions of Minister Montague are likely to derail law enforcement strategies to combat crime. The POA represent officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force from the rank of Assistant Superintendent and upwards.

 The full text of the POA release is published below:

 The Police Officers’ Association is extremely concerned about the serious distractions from the management of major crimes that have occurred in recent times. This has negatively impacted the office of the Commissioner of Police and the morale of the officer corps. Some of these distractions are manifested in the communication method used by the office of the Minister of National Security to the Commissioner of Police; which seems to be done directly through media engagement and the direct interference of the Minister in the operations portfolio of the Commissioner of Police. We are particularly concerned about communications made about:

Promotions within the JCF;

The handling of the entertainment event held on New Year’s Day in the vicinity of the Palisadoes Strip and;

The direct interference in the distribution of vehicles within the JCF

These actions are likely to derail the law enforcement strategies of the Commissioner of Police, aimed at crime control; and have affected the morale of our officer corps which is a major concern for the Police Officers’ Association. We therefore urge the Ministry of National Security to apply the protocol and dignity required to communicate with the office of the Commissioner of Police and to desist from creating major distractions that have impacted the management of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The Police Officers’ Association was informed via the media that the Commissioner was summoned to a meeting by the Minister of National Security on Monday, January 08, 2018. The Executive of the Police Officers’ Association will accompany our commissioner to the office of the Minister of National Security and will await his exit from the meeting.

 Catherine Lord (Supt.)

Chairman