KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is ahead of the curve in relation to the use of technology.

That’s the bold declaration of National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang who made the observation during his recent contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

He said that one area that has generated most interest is that of the technological transformation of the JCF.

“Globally, policing has seen digitisation and the adoption of new technologies playing a crucial role in improving efficiency and performance. In this regard, the Jamaican police are ahead of the curve. As we seek to strengthen the capacity of the police force, the use of technology as a force multiplier is a vital component,” Chang remarked.

He outlined that in the last five years, the JCF has executed several significant technological changes and projects, including the establishment of the Technology Branch, headed by an assistant commissioner of police, to manage the entire technological transformation within the force, working in collaboration with the ministry, which leads on large projects.

Another of the many changes by the JCF is the build-out of the communication infrastructure, which includes the upgrade and expansion of the P25 Radio Communication Network to ensure islandwide radio coverage; the upgrade and expansion of the JCF Microwave Network; and the roll-out of network connectivity across all police facilities using the JCF Microwave Network, Government Broadband Network, satellite connectivity and other modalities as required, ensuring total connectivity.

The security minister said “efficient communication in real time at anytime, anywhere in the island, is maybe the most far-reaching change we are establishing in the JCF”.

“The digitisation and automation of the force’s business processes will, of course, leverage the foundation laid with the effective communication infrastructure,” he added.

He further outlined the following accomplishments:

• The replacement of police books and diaries (of which there are about 19 by the Station Records Management and Case Management Systems);
• The issuing of traffic tickets using handheld electronic ticketing devices;
• Vehicle tracking and monitoring using the Amber Connect Fleet Management System, which is primarily on the new police vehicles;
• The procurement of an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERPS) to support asset management, requisitioning and budgeting;
• The presence of the Smart Check application in the vehicles and on mobile devices to allow officers in the field to access critical information, in real time, to support their work;
• Police emergency dispatch using the upgraded Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) System;
• Biometric data capture using the upgraded Multimodal Biometric Identification System (MBIS);
• The capture of field confrontations and interactions using body-worn cameras. To date, 568 cameras have been deployed in some critical sections of the force; and
• Expansion of CCTV surveillance under the Jamaica Eye Programme, which currently has over 900 cameras integrated across the island.

Chang told the House that an additional 550 cameras will be installed this year, with funding coming from both the Consolidated Fund and partners.

“The goal is to have approximately 3,000 additional cameras installed over the next three financial years,” he said.