A St. Catherine divisional councillor has called for the uniforms worn by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to be gazetted and protected, similar to those of the Jamaica Defence Force.

Councillor Fenley Douglas of the Waterford division said this would impose a ban on the uniform, or material resembling it, being worn by anyone else.

His concern stems from reports that oftentimes, criminals posing as police and dressed in attire similar to cops, have tricked citizens resulting in the citizens being harmed.

The most recent incident was on Sunday, October 5, in Commodore, Linstead, where 9 people were shot.

5 of them, including a four-year-old girl, were killed and the other 4 hospitalised for treatment.

Police had expressed concern over reports that the perpetrators involved in the mass shooting, were dressed in clothing resembling police attire.

Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation, Councillor Douglas noted that the Commodore incident victims did not run because they were deceived into believing the men were cops.

He also noted that too many government groups, including the municipal police, wear blue denim and it’s difficult to tell them apart from JCF police officers.

The councillor said the issue must be fixed.