If Jamaica is to significantly lower the rates of homicide and other violent crimes, and weaken the power of criminal networks in the society, a renewed attempt at a thorough transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is unavoidable.The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has initiated a process which is intended to produce a Police Service Act. This Act may either amend the existing JCF Act or supplant it.

CAPRI in partnership with the UK’s Department for International Development, and with Professor Anthony Harriott as the Researcher, is undertaking a study which is hoped, may be used to stimulate an even more open conversation about the Act and the type of police service that Jamaicans desire. It is also hoped that in the advocacy process this report be considered to be an early stage input rather than a late stage output of this process.