Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Felice

Polygraph tests and increased vetting of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will become more enforced as part of the force's anti-corruption drive, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Justin Felice, head of the Anti-corruption Branch.

In fact, the JCF, which conducted vetting and lie-detector tests before, has, since January, established a unit within the JCF with trained polygraphists dedicated to the cause.

"Clearly with the drive against corruption in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, we have to look on all sorts of methods and one of those methods is the polygraph test," Felice told The Gleaner yesterday. He said that this initiative was part of the mandate given by him when taking office in November last year, that of raising the fear of detection.

Extremely beneficial

While not giving any specifics about the results of the tests and whether they had been used in convictions or disciplinary action, ACP Felice described them as "extremely beneficial".

Felice said the tests will be used for criminal and internal security tests. "It is not random if someone is suspected of criminal acts or if it is of an internal security nature then they are vetted. Persons are also vetted before they are appointed to sensitive investigations."

In 2006, the Government announced that recruits of the JCF had to undergo mandatory polygraph tests before admission.

Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation Corporal Raymond Wilson, said that his organisation was in support of the move as long as it is done within the ambit of the JCF's policy guidelines.

"The Police Federation has no problem with the implementation of any such strategy which is used or being made a part of the anti-corruption drive, provided it is done within policy guidelines and what it was established for."

Wilson also stressed that the federation does not support any member who is engaged in criminal acts or unprofessional activities.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com