THE POLICE force should have the long overdue replacement for its out of service ballistics testing machinery by the end of the year.
Information Minister Burchell Whiteman told journalists during yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House that the executive body had approved the award of a US$2 million (J$120 million) contract for supplying the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The contract, awarded to Forensic Technology WAI Incorporated of Canada, will also cover the supply of additional ballistics testing and data acquisition and storage equipment for the new National Firearms Licensing Authority.
"The Integrated Ballistic Identification System is reputed to be the only commercially deployed ballistics testing system available in the world," the Information Minister said.
He added that the machinery was used in major law enforcement agencies in Jamaica's partner countries, such as Canada and elsewhere, and was highly rated.
MORE EFFICIENT INVESTIGATIONS
According to Mr. Whiteman, the system will support the work of the National Firearms Licensing Authority by creating a database against which it will be possible to match licensed firearms, as well as match the firearms and shells that have been found at crime scenes. This, he said, will enable the police to be more effective in dealing with not only crime itself but in tracking the users of firearms who play their part in committing crimes.
Mr. Whiteman said the delivery of the ballistics system would usually take about four months, but that Jamaica has been assured that the delivery would be fast tracked in this case.
The Information Minister said that with the "demise" of Drugfire, the previous ballistics testing system used by the JCF, the force has been severely handicapped in relation to investigating and solving crime. The Drugfire system broke down about two years ago and the police have regularly called for its replacement since.
Reporting on other matters considered by Cabinet, Mr Whiteman disclosed that Cabinet has approved a $7 million contract for the supply of breathing equipment to the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
MATTER OF URGENCY
The equipment will be provided by the National Safety Limited, a local supplier to the fire brigade.
Mr. Whiteman said Cabinet has urged that the transactions be completed as a matter of urgency "in recognition of the plight faced by fire-fighters and the national interest".
Cabinet also approved a contract for the supply of fire-fighting gear from W. S. Daley and Company, an overseas supplier, to the Fire Brigade.
The gear includes 4,000 boots, 1,200 protective gloves, 400 helmets and 200 sets of fire coats and pants. The total cost amounts to Ja$14 million.
