JCF COMMISSIONER LUCIUS THOMAS ADDRESSES THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000659

SIPDIS

WHA/CAR (BENT),SOUTHCOM J7 FOR RHANNAN, DOJ/OPDAT FOR
LIPMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2015
TAGS: PREL KCRM SNAR JM
SUBJECT: JCF COMMISSIONER LUCIUS THOMAS ADDRESSES THE
DIPLOMATIC CORPS

REF: KINGSTON 00041

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ronald S. Robinson. Reasons 1.5(b) and
(d).


1. (U) Summary: On Friday, March 4, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade hosted a briefing by Jamaica
Constabulary Force (JCF) Commissioner Lucius Thomas for the
diplomatic corps. During the briefing, Thomas described the
major causes of crime as gangs, drugs, guns, and money
laundering. He asked members of the corps to assist the
fight against crime by not "legitimizing" businessmen who
partake in crime and described the JCF's areas of significant
weakness as forensic capabilities as well as the inability to
process firearms. Thomas briefly touched on the JCF's new
Corporate Strategy. End Summary.


2. (U) On March 4, Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas
addressed members of the diplomatic corps at a briefing
hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
(MFAFT). Thomas, formerly the Deputy Commissioner for Crime,
was sworn in on January 19. Commissioner Thomas took over
the helm two weeks after former Commissioner Francis Forbes
announced his unexpected retirement and during a time when
Jamaica's murder rate was at it's highest in history (Ref A).
Gangs, drugs, guns, and money laundering were described as
the major causes of crime. The Commissioner asked members of
the corps to assist in the fight against crime by not
"legitimizing" businessmen who participate in crime and
described the JCF's areas of significant weakness as forensic
capabilities as well as the inability to process firearms.
Although citing Haiti as a capital source for guns, he noted
that North America continues to be a major player in the
small arms trade stating that intelligence has indicated that
Miami, New York and Philadelphia are critical ports from
which weapons head to the inner cities of Jamaica.


3. (U) While there are still gangs that are aligned with the
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party
(PNP),Thomas emphasized that gangs are not as politically
affiliated today as they were in the past as the major gangs
and dons no longer require the assistance of party leaders.
The contracts and financing that party leaders used to
provide are no longer available and the dons have become
self-sufficient in obtaining the money and control needed to
operate. (Note: While it appears that the dons no longer
require the assistance of political leaders, there is still
evidence of ties between them. Some political leaders
continue to publicly associate with known dons and both the
JLP and PNP continue to point the finger when flare-ups occur
in their constituencies.)


4. (U) Describing corruption in Jamaica as "pervasive and all
over", Thomas stated that many businessmen appear legitimate
on the surface, however, many of them contribute extensively
to the money laundering and drug problem on the island. He
lamented that it is unfortunate that the laws of Jamaica will
not allow them to be pointed out. "If you think that the
young men driving the very expensive SUVs and Mercedes Benz
are legitimate, think again" Thomas said. Most of the
"businessmen" legitimize themselves through people just like
you - referring to the diplomatic audience. Claiming these
same individuals are the ones diplomats invite to cocktail
parties and other functions, Thomas advised those present to
run background checks on some of the people they are allowing
into their homes. "You are not a target....yet, nor are
judges or police." He described the capabilities of
criminals as more advanced than the police and speculated
that this is something that can quickly become an issue if
the JCF does not get a handle on the illicit activity on the
island.


5. (SBU) The Commissioner described the 2005-2008 Corporate
Strategy released on March 1, as just one initiative in the
fight against crime. (Note: Thomas inherited the Corporate
Strategy from former Commissioner Forbes and while he readily
admitted to the Law Enforcement Development Advisor (LEDA)
that most of it is "fluff," he has committed to making it
work. End Note.) The key priorities of the strategy are
defined as (a) providing a citizen-focused service by
developing a culture that emphasizes accountability,
integrity, and performance; (b) tackling key operational
issues by developing community based policing and improving
the effectiveness of traffic policing; and (c) making best
use of staff and other resources by strengthening the JCF's
human resource management systems and by strengthening the
JCF's financial and asset management. The JCF has estimated
the cost of implementing this plan over the next three years
to be approximately JMD 7.8 billion.

6. (U) Corruption within the force, lack of forensic
capabilities and investigatory skills were cited as major
weaknesses of the JCF. While not directly asking for
assistance, the Commissioner stated that it would be very
beneficial to the force if it could acquire the Integrated
Ballistics Information System known as IBIS. (Note: The
Ministry of National Security has asked the UK to assist them
in acquiring this equipment. The JCF does not have any means
of tracking spent shells or testing seized weapons. End
Note.) Thomas stated that he also does not have the power to
fire police officers and noted that this is hampering his
goal of dealing with corruption within the force.


7. (C) Comment: With guidance from Embassy NAS Law
Enforcement Development Advisor, Thomas has taken some of the
necessary management steps to revitalize the force, and has
also revised murder classifications to ensure accuracy in the
JCF's statistical reporting. The LEDA will continue to
provide guidance on how to restructure and reform the police
and establish a system of accountability and transparency,
including stronger internal affairs and personnel practices.
In the nearly two months since the new Commissioner assumed
the leadership of the JCF, he has launched a significant
outreach campaign, traveling throughout the island to visit
different police stations and communities. Though Thomas's
candor about the pervasiveness of corruption in Jamaica is
both refreshing and sobering, his presentation inadvertently
touched upon why it is so difficult to weed out. He
expressly stated that he lacks the authority to fire corrupt
officers. Thomas also urged foreign diplomats to "run
background checks" on, and maintain their distance from, some
prominent Jamaican businesspersons due to their suspected
involvement in illicit activities, when much of Jamaican
society - whether politicians of either major party; the JCF;
the clergy, the media; high society; entertainers; or the
proverbial "man on the street" - is often similarly
compromised and/or unwilling to take a principled stand
against associating with such individuals.
ROBINSON