Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINGSTON310
2006-02-14 20:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
JAMAICA ADDS MUSCLE TO GUN LICENSING PROCESS
how-toVZCZCXRO7173 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHKG #0310 0452030 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 142030Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2229 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM J6 MIAMI FL RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000310
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BENT),INL/LP (BOZZOLO),PM/DTC (RMAGGI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM SNAR PGOV ASEC JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA ADDS MUSCLE TO GUN LICENSING PROCESS
REF: 04 KINGSTON 01014
This Message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Handle
Accordingly.
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000310
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BENT),INL/LP (BOZZOLO),PM/DTC (RMAGGI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM SNAR PGOV ASEC JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA ADDS MUSCLE TO GUN LICENSING PROCESS
REF: 04 KINGSTON 01014
This Message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Handle
Accordingly.
1. (SBU) On January 18, NAS Director met with Commissioner of
Police Lucius Thomas to discuss the status of a 2004
investigation of widespread fraud in the issuance of gun
licenses. In March 2004, due to intense media inquiries, a
probe centered on the St. Andrew North Division revealed
rampant corruption in the issuance of gun licenses and
resulted in one superintendent being "retired in the public
interest" and another officer given a non-command position
(Reftel). Thomas stated that the investigation is still
"ongoing" and would not provide any further information. He
did advise that as of February 1, a new oversight body would
have complete control over the issuance of gun licenses.
Selected as Board Chairman for the new Independent Central
Firearm Licensing Authority is Major General John Simmonds, a
former Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) Officer. Additional
members of the board include former Customs Commissioner
Allison Moore, Ethan Sinclair, Noel Eldridge, Rodney Conway
Chin and George Overton. Applicants who are rejected for a
gun license now have an opportunity to appeal to a review
board that is chaired by retired High Court Judge, Clarence
Walker.
2. (SBU) According to Thomas, all police divisions have been
instructed to hand over to this new licensing body all gun
license applications which will be scanned into a database.
There is also a new application form and applicant background
investigation procedures.
3. (SBU) Comment: The integrity of the issuance of firearms
licenses and permits has been called into question for over
two years with no resolution to the ongoing investigation.
(Although the previous rules required an individual seeking a
permit to apply through the local JCF post, numerous
individuals from outside the capital obtained their permits
fraudulently with the assistance of a JCF post in Kingston.)
While it has taken two years for this independent body to be
constituted, the new Firearm Authority is a welcome step
forward in the fight against illicit firearms and effectively
removes the licensing function entirely from the police,
which continues to be riddled with corrupt individuals. End
Comment.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR (BENT),INL/LP (BOZZOLO),PM/DTC (RMAGGI)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM SNAR PGOV ASEC JM
SUBJECT: JAMAICA ADDS MUSCLE TO GUN LICENSING PROCESS
REF: 04 KINGSTON 01014
This Message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Handle
Accordingly.
1. (SBU) On January 18, NAS Director met with Commissioner of
Police Lucius Thomas to discuss the status of a 2004
investigation of widespread fraud in the issuance of gun
licenses. In March 2004, due to intense media inquiries, a
probe centered on the St. Andrew North Division revealed
rampant corruption in the issuance of gun licenses and
resulted in one superintendent being "retired in the public
interest" and another officer given a non-command position
(Reftel). Thomas stated that the investigation is still
"ongoing" and would not provide any further information. He
did advise that as of February 1, a new oversight body would
have complete control over the issuance of gun licenses.
Selected as Board Chairman for the new Independent Central
Firearm Licensing Authority is Major General John Simmonds, a
former Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) Officer. Additional
members of the board include former Customs Commissioner
Allison Moore, Ethan Sinclair, Noel Eldridge, Rodney Conway
Chin and George Overton. Applicants who are rejected for a
gun license now have an opportunity to appeal to a review
board that is chaired by retired High Court Judge, Clarence
Walker.
2. (SBU) According to Thomas, all police divisions have been
instructed to hand over to this new licensing body all gun
license applications which will be scanned into a database.
There is also a new application form and applicant background
investigation procedures.
3. (SBU) Comment: The integrity of the issuance of firearms
licenses and permits has been called into question for over
two years with no resolution to the ongoing investigation.
(Although the previous rules required an individual seeking a
permit to apply through the local JCF post, numerous
individuals from outside the capital obtained their permits
fraudulently with the assistance of a JCF post in Kingston.)
While it has taken two years for this independent body to be
constituted, the new Firearm Authority is a welcome step
forward in the fight against illicit firearms and effectively
removes the licensing function entirely from the police,
which continues to be riddled with corrupt individuals. End
Comment.
JOHNSON