With concerns about the number of police fatal shootings so far this year, Deputy Prime Minister and National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang, has rejected claims that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is operating a hit squad nationally.
"It's not a hit squad (that) we have here (in the JCF); that use to be... in the past, (and) you can write the history (about it)," declared Chang on Wednesday as he handed over 274 new vehicles to the constabulary at the Old Hope Road offices of the Commissioner of Police in St Andrew.
The latest police fatal shooting incident occurred on Wednesday when three members of the Ants Posse gang were killed during a gun battle with law enforcers in Grange Hill, Westmoreland.
According to Chang, the JCF is now more driven by intelligence, with a structure in place to identify individuals involved in criminal activities and build the respective case files around them.
"It's a structure that identifies individuals who are involved in criminal activities and build the (case) files around them," he stated.
Chang underscored that the JCF's intelligence capabilities have significantly improved over the years, resulting in more targeted operations locally.
"I don't ask where they (the criminals) are, but I know and understand that this commissioner (Dr Kevin Blake) and his team, supported by intelligence and the CIB (Criminal Investigation Branch), know the criminals," he said.
"And I can say to you out there, the criminals know (that) the police know them, and when the case is built, they (the police) go for them..., and when they are coming, I advice them (the criminals), 'Please come in, we'll make sure you're treated well, and go to the courts; we have a very conservative and a very good court system'," Chang added.
The minister warned that if criminals do not turn themselves in and attack the police, they will be captured "in another form".
He elaborated that, "Whether we bring them in the pickup that comes behind us in the cars, or they want to come on a stretcher, is their business. I don't have any problem with that, but we'll find them and bring them in," Chang insisted.
He expressed confidence in the JCF's ability to get the job done, praising the commissioner, as well as former Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, for expanding and improving the police force at all levels.
"... I can say it publicly..., we have provided the resources (to the JCF); not finished, (as) we still have to build (police) stations all over the island and repair some," Chang stated.
