INTRODUCTION
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Law Enforcement entails the individuals and agencies in charge of the enforcing of laws and maintenance of public order, and the safety of the citizens in their state/country. It is inclusive of the prevention, detection, and investigation of crimes, as well as the apprehension and detention of those who are suspected of law violation.Â
Being in existence for 152 years, and having over 11,000 members, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, a department under the Ministry of National Security has been the premier law enforcement arm of the Government of Jamaica. Law Enforcement in Jamaica was established in 1716 when there were appointments of night watchmen in the cities of Port Royal and Kingston, and the parishes of St. Catherine and St. Andrew. Long after this, in 1832, there was the first attempt to establish a permanent police force whereas William Ramsay was the first ever Inspector General appointed in 1835. In 1865, the year of the Morant Bay Rebellion, the disturbance caused a shift in the peace thus causing the establishment of an improved police force. This force accounted for 984 members, under the leadership of an Inspector General appointed by the British Governor. With the constant development of the force, in 1917-1922, the Police Central Training Depot was moved to Lower Elletson Road in Kingston after being situated at the corner of Young Street and Nugent Street in Spanish Town, St. Catherine for almost a century. In 1944, the Police Federation was formed by the provision of Section 67 (1) of the Constabulary Force Act. Shortly after this, in 1949, the first three women, Iris Tulloch, Sylvia Myers, and Florence Nelson were enlisted in the force. Tulloch stayed on board the longest and attained the rank of Superintendent in 1976. A year after this, in 1950, an act establishing the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) as a permanent body was constituted and passed. Its mandate was inclusive of maintaining order of public spaces, managing traffic, enforcing environmental laws, and others. In 1954, the first Police Youth Club was launched by Mr. Basil Ferguson and Corporal Everald Matthews, and also the Canine Division which was established when three policemen left the island to be trained as dog handlers and came back as experts with three German Sheperds. In the year 1958, the Bands Division was established where the first band master was Superintendent C.T. Beare, and in 1962 the Strike Force was established, and later become the Mobile Reserve Unit in 1970. The first Jamaican Commissioner of Police, Basil Johnson, was appointed in the year 1973, and in 1974, the Marine Police was established as a division. As time progressed, there was continuous development within the force, and in 1987, the Neighbourhood Watch was established. the programme united citizens in various communities to protect themselves and their property by reducing the risk of crime. In the year 2000, the Modernization and Reformation of the JCF began. Another milestone was reached in 2014 with the merger of the ISCF and the JCF after two failed attempts. The latest improvement within the JCF occurred in August 2018 with the launch of the Public Safety and Traffic Branch. The branchâs mandate is to restore order and the rule of law in public spaces whilst promoting safety of those traversing the streets of the nation.Â
https://jcf.gov.jm/about-us/history/

















