REQUEST FOR FY- 2005 ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINGSTON 000772

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/PPC
ALSO FOR INL/LP/CAR AND WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM JM
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR FY- 2005 ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUNDING
(ESF) FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES - JAMAICA


1. Background

In 2003, the U.S. Government provided Economic Support Funds
to assist Jamaica in building a more professional police
force. A Law Enforcement Development Advisor position
(LEDA) was established within the Jamaica Constabulary Force
(JCF) to implement recommendations from the Police Executive
Research Forum (PERF) and to advise the JCF Commissioner on
management and other matters affecting the operations and
performance of the Force. Working directly with the JCF
Commissioner, the LEDA is advising on how to restructure and
reform the police and establishing a system of
accountability and transparency, including stronger internal
affairs and personnel practices. Part of the task included
the implementation of the PERF recommendations. Of the 83
original recommendations, progress has been made on 40, with
18 additional built into the proposed regionalization and
restructuring plan. 8 of the recommendations will not be
accomplished until funding issues are resolved and the final
17 are beyond the capability of JCF to influence as they may
require changes in current laws or new legislation.

The LEDA is attempting to assist the GOJ create a police
force that is proactive, productive and welcomed throughout
Jamaica. The LEDA proposed the creation of a Professional
Standards Branch reporting directly to the Commissioner
charged with addressing the serious issue of corruption
within the JCF. This unit is nearly developed and is
projected to become operational in March 2005. The vetting
of all JCF units working directly with US components and
those assigned to highly sensitive areas has been proposed
and is presently being processed. In 2004, based on
recommendations from the LEDA, the JCF implemented a new
policy on officers' use of deadly force, Published copies of
the new Human Rights and Use of Force Policy have been
distributed to every member of the JCF and training on the
new policy continues as a priority. In addition, middle and
upper management officers were introduced to Operational
Planning Training that required extensive planning and
supervisory approval prior to the execution of police
operations. Further management skills training was provided
in the areas of accountability, expectations, and effective
management of resources.

The LEDA's management assessment of the JCF revealed the
need for significant restructuring and the application of
new management practices designed for accountability,
effectiveness and efficiency. This was packaged into a
regionalization and restructuring plan in October 2003, with
the active participation and endorsement of the police
commissioner. However, the project was subsequently
assigned to the JCF Corporate Strategy Coordination Unit and
has since stalled. Despite support from the government's
highest officials the project has moved slowly.

A significant component of the restructuring included a
mentoring program for which ESF funds were provided in FY-

04. The mentoring project was designed to provide Jamaica
Constabulary Force management personnel with mentors from
active management positions abroad to assist in the
development of staff officer/management skills required to
support the implementation of the modernization and reform
strategy. It was hoped this would commence the summer of
2005, but the timetable has been pushed back partly due to
the change in administration. The Post is optimistic the
restructuring and regionalization plan will take shape
during 2005 and the mentor program will support the project.
Mentors will participate in a comprehensive orientation
program designed to prepare them to interact effectively
with JCF counterparts for the delivery of consistent
coaching and counseling in such areas as time-management,
delegation of authority, project management, accountability,
meeting management and general professional skills.


2. FY-2005 Program Request

In pursuing the Law Enforcement Development project, the
LEDA identified a need for additional mentors for each of
the regions (4) and the JCF Headquarters (1). In addition,
a necessary component of this phase of the project will be
contract funds for remuneration of a portion of the mentors
who will be coming from a pool of recently retired police
managers (10). One final adjustment would include one
additional week for travel and relocation for the mentors so
as to not diminish the actual time in mentorship. This will
be the focus of the extension of the LEDA program, plus
significant management training workshops facilitated by the
LEDA at the express request of the new commissioner of
police. All of the management training and the mentoring
will emphasize accountability, professional standards, anti-
corruption and resource management.


3. Resources Requested
Initial Orientation $11,875
Mentorship Phase $79,125
Remuneration $75,000
Follow-up Phase $6,600
TOTAL PROJECT COST $172,600


4. Justification

The U.S. strategy continues to be focused on fighting
corruption, improving community-police relations, and
building capacity within the security forces. The USG has
already made a significant investment in the restructuring
of the JCF through INL assistance to the National
Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Narcotics Division. This
program reaches the remainder of the JCF from which
personnel are assigned to the specialty units making them
more valuable contributors to the overall USG efforts. The
new JCF Commissioner has relied on the advice and counsel of
the LEDA to institute changes designed to improve the
effectiveness of the Force. Completion of this program
through the addition of more mentors in key locations will
ensure the sustainability necessary to make Jamaica's law
enforcement community a viable partner in combating
international crimes affecting the U.S. national interest.


5. Performance Measures

Once the mentoring program is completed, significant
reduction in the countrywide crime rate should be obvious.
Division Commanders use their direct link to U.S. law
enforcement assistance and counsel to resolve management and
operational situations. The professionalism and
dependability of the JCF is enhanced and its public image is
significantly improved.

TIGHE