Thu | Jan 25, 2018

We are watching you! - Government says persons trying to undermine security forces are known

Published:Thursday | January 25, 2018 | 12:00 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Gleaner Writer
National Security Minister Robert Montague (left) speaks with Rocky Meade, chief of defence staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, during the prime minister's quarterly press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that attempts by elements to drive a wedge between the Jamaica Consta-bulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) are being tackled at the highest level.

Perpetrators of this scheme, according to the prime minister, are known by the relevant authorities.

Speaking at his quarterly press conference at Jamaica House yesterday, Holness revealed that some of the persons behind the plot are members of the security forces and others are part of the country's criminal network.

"It would not be a surprise that some of the criminals are connected to some of the elements and they are using a mastermind strategy to undermine the unity of the forces," the head of Government asserted.

He, however, gave the assurance that members of the JCF and JDF would be able to thwart those devious attempts to create friction within the law enforcement arms of the State.

"We monitor communications in the sense that whatever messages are being sent, that are calculated to create discord, we pay close attention, and these are sent on open networks and are accessible for us to see. It is in our interest to monitor these things and take action," he said.

Commenting on the issue of corrupt members of the security forces, Holness said, that the Government was reviving the programme of retiring questionable public servants in the public's interest.

"That will address those members of the security forces that compromise the dignity of the uniform," said Holness.

In relation to the state of public emergency in St James, the prime minister said that the members of the security forces have an opportunity to show Jamaicans that they can carry out their task, with violence being the last resort.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com