ST JAMES, Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) telecommunications network will be significantly upgraded by April 2024.

This was disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, while addressing the Inspectors’ Branch Board (IBB) Inspectors’ Symposium at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in St James on Wednesday.

He underscored that the improvements in the network are greatly needed, adding that these, on completion, should bolster communication and efficient policing.

“The Government has set out to upgrade the entire 25 radio systems, and by the end of this financial year the police will have communications from end – to – end in Jamaica for the first time… not only efficient policing, but end-to-end communications,” Dr Chang outlined.

The symposium was held to highlight matters concerning the welfare and efficiency of the Inspectorate.

Dr Chang commended the inspectors for their continued dedication and service to the JCF’s transformation and assured them that the Government remains committed to the force’s holistic improvement.

“This Government and this minister are committed to investing in, not only the physical infrastructure of the police force [but], as an institution, to ensure that we can reach a level of efficiency to deal with the evolving criminal activity in Jamaica, which varies from brutal, heinous violent activities to very sophisticated cyber activity,” he emphasised.

“We have quality leadership in the police force that can lay the foundation and build a strong effective Jamaican police force. As inspectors, you stand at the centre of that,” Dr Chang added.

Also attending the symposium were Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson; Deputy Police Commissioner, Fitz Bailey, and Chairman of the Inspectors Branch Board, Inspector Jacqueline Brown.

The forum was held under the theme ‘Bridging the Divide: Initiating the Change’. Approximately 200 delegates of the inspectorate participated in the event.

– JIS