Security Minister says law enforcement chain to be fixed

National Security Minister, Peter Bunting, says the law enforcement chain is to be fixed.

According to him, this will be achieved through government's efforts, in increasing anti-gang legislation, and strengthening the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Mr. Bunting says, fixing the prosecution and judiciary components of law enforcement, must also be given priority in managing crime, and not just the investigative process, and the arrest and charge of individuals.

The National Security Minister adds that breaking the culture of adjournments in the court system will strengthen the country's crime fighting mechanism.

Mr bunting says the conviction rate for murder is about 5 %.

He notes that there is a backlog of some 480,000 cases in the courts. However, these include multiple charges against one person.

The government is looking to refocus the crime fighting strategy from national security, to citizen security.

He was speaking this morning (March 20) at the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica's Breakfast Forum.

In the meantime, the National Security Minister is seeking funding for a youth training programme, to restore order in communities.

Peter Bunting wants to create, what he calls, a police/cadet programme.

Under the proposed programme, at-risk youths will be trained, and returned to their communities, under the supervision of the community policing branches.

The National Security Minister says the programme would provide training in conflict management and resolution, and as first responders to community emergencies.