NAS DIRECTOR'S COURTESY CALL ON POLICE COMMISSIONER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 002003

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/LP AND WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2014
TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM JM
SUBJECT: NAS DIRECTOR'S COURTESY CALL ON POLICE COMMISSIONER

REF: KINGSTON 01921

Classified By: Charge Thomas C. Tighe for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) Summary: NAS Director paid a courtesy call on Jamaica
Constabulary Force (JCF) Commissioner Lucius Thomas on August

19. The discussion focused on the NAS-funded National
Intelligence Bureau (NIB),Law Enforcement Development
Advisor (LEDA),and the recruitment of foreign officers. End
Summary.


2. (C) Thomas noted that the NAS-funded Law Enforcement
Development Advisor (LEDA) is an integral part of his
management program. He described the LEDA as someone who
brings fresh ideas to the force, and is very effective in
capacity building. Thomas acknowledged, however, that the
LEDA's no-cost modernization and reform program had been put
"on hold" indefinitely as the GOJ does not have the resources
to implement it. The restructuring of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force (JCF) is an essential piece of the
modernization and reform effort. The present structure is
not conducive to efficient and effective operations and
prohibits accountability of individual and subordinate units
within the JCF. Both internal and international reviews have
concluded that restructuring of the JCF would be beneficial
in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and
enhanced resource management. The proposal involves the
elimination of the current five Area Command structures and
the establishment of three Regional Commands along existing
county boundaries with each region commanded by a deputy
commissioner of police. The preliminary restructuring would
be comprised of changes in lines of command, control and
reporting, accountability and rank structures. Thus, the
restructuring may be accomplished without extensive expense.


3. (C) With regards to the NAS funded National Intelligence
Bureau (NIB) Advisor, Thomas stated that the NIB Advisor was
a stickler for discipline and very professional. While
Thomas admitted that the Advisor receives constant
"resistance" from some members of the force, he noted that
"discipline is what the force needs" at this time in addition
to someone who could communicate well. Thomas stated that
the NIB Advisor has his full support and should continue to
work on vetting of officers. (Note: Although Thomas has
voiced his support of the NIB, the unit remains strapped for
resources as well as for strong, effective leadership. Ref
A). NAS Director requested that the Commissioner visit the
NIB to show his support for the Advisor and the Unit, which
he agreed to do.


4. (C) In June 2005, the JCF began advertising in the UK,
Australia, Canada and the U.S. for four assistant
commissioners of police. The advertisements invite
applications from serving or retired officers who have held
senior command positions. Thomas explained the difficulty in
recruiting foreign officers as due to concerns about pay and
security in Jamaica. The deadline for applications was July

15. The JCF has received over eighteen applications, mainly
mainly from the UK and Canada. The Police Services
Commission has interviewed an applicant from the UK and one
from Canada. While acknowledging that there are some members
of the JCF disgruntled at being "looked over" in favor of a
foreign officer, Thomas noted that while there are some good
officers in the force, the expertise "just isn't there." One
of the foreign recruits will be put in charge of the
Professional Standards Branch (PSB),the division responsible
for investigating internal corruption, which is currently
being lead by Assistant Commissioner of Police Novelette
Grant. Thomas pointed out that he is aware that Grant is not
pleased by the presence of foreign officers and stated that
with encouragement, most officers, including Grant, "should
come around." (Note: During an August 17 meeting with
Grant, she advised NAS Director that she "had no problem"
with the presence of foreign officers but preferred to see
JCF Officers going abroad for training, as she herself had
done. End Note.) In addition to the PSB, other areas in
which the foreign officers will work include the homicide and
serious crime division, operations and firearms, and
community policing.


5. (C) Comment: While Commissioner Thomas voices enthusiasm
and appreciation for both the NIB and LEDA advisors, Post's
view is that the Commissioner can do more to support both
programs. NAS will urge Thomas to play a more active role in
showing support for the NIB Advisor by making appearances at
the Unit and by compelling all officers within the Unit to be
vetted. He should also play a more active role in the reform
and modernization project by making clear to the Minister of
National Security that the project is a big step in the right
direction and is needed now. End Comment.
TIGHE