KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang today in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Police Federation executive reiterated the need for a transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The Federation last week expressed “shock and outrage” over what it said were comments made by Chang that the JCF is unprofessional and beyond repair.

But Chang, in the meeting today held at the ministry’s Oxford Road office, said that reports in the media suggest that his comments about the need for change referred to the current members of the police force as opposed to the system and structure of the force.

“The current institution and systems of the police force, with its historical roots in colonialism, must be changed to represent our current reality,” Chang told attendees at the meeting.

“The men and women who comprise the police force are intelligent, highly-skilled, and resilient Jamaicans who commit to protect and serve our country. However, the institution of the JCF in its current state, does not have at this time, the structure and institutional agility required to ensure maximum output and efficiency from our officers,” Chang argued.

“it is against this reality that the Ministry of National Security is firmly committed to ensuring that the new Police Act, which will guide the institutional change, must not be simply adjusted or revised, but must be fully renewed and contain within it, the requisite framework to adequately deliver policing to the country,” Chang added.