Police place markers at the scene where Corporal Rowan White, who was driving along Tower Street in downtown Kingston, was shot by gunmen in February. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer
Below is the executive summary of the National Security Strategy green paper, produced by the Ministry of National Security in November 2005. The Sunday Gleaner has published the information for the benefit of readers.
SECURITY IS a public good to be delivered by the state through its agents and institutions.
The vision of the Government of Jamaica for national security is to establish a "safe and secure environment in which it can focus on achieving a prosperous, democratic, peaceful and dynamic society which upholds the fulfilment of human rights, dignity for all persons, and builds continual social progress based on
shared values and principles of partnership ..."
In essence, the vision is for all Jamaicans to enjoy a better quality of life and realise their full potential.
SECURITY ISSUES
National security issues greatly affect the nation's chances of achieving all of its social and economic goals.
These issues also have local, regional and international dimensions. Jamaica must compete within a global economy that demands that goods and services from this country be internationally competitive.
Open trading practices must be embraced and the smooth transit of goods and movement of persons facilitated through its ports.
The trading systems are at risk due to the threat of illicit movement of and proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The trafficking of arms and ammunition is also known to be an integral element of the illegal drug trade.
This is of particular concern, because it has a direct bearing on the level of violence and crimes involving assault. And, a parallel system of enforcement based upon the use of unlawful force has developed to protect the lucrative gains from these illegal activities.
Not only has the level of violent crime increased over time, but the pattern has also changed and a higher degree of organisation and coordination has emerged.
POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP
Over the decades, the police-community relationship has broken down and an unhealthy mutual distrust prevails, with a frequent cry of 'We want justice!' from citizens.
The increased frequency of mob killings is indicative of the growing lack of trust or confidence in our criminal justice system and respect for the law.
0The country is also grappling with an extremely high homicide rate. These homicides are concentrated in known areas, but the phenomenon of murderous conflicts is robbing Jamaica of thousands of citizens in the prime of their youth. The continuous growth in the number of violent incidents causes many Jamaicans at home to live in fear, and influence those in the Diaspora to abandon their dream of resettling on the 'rock'. It is now conceded that Jamaica has spawned a culture of violence in its most negative form, which is abhorrent to its values and stands in the way of every kind of social progress. These developments and the breakdown of social mores have led to a widespread disrespect for the Rule of Law and the devaluation of human life.
Essentially, threats to Jamaica include those relating to crime, terrorism, military and para-military concerns, disasters and unsustainable loss of natural resources, and socio-economic issues. Following a careful analysis of the many threats to national security and their associated vulnerabilities, it was determined that there are fifteen key capabilities that are required to counter or mitigate the extent of the country's exposure to these threats, and they are the capacity to:
· Control entry and exit through ports of entry and coastline/land of Jamaica
· Monitor, regulate and control use of Jamaica's airspace, coastal waters and EEZ
· Ensure an effective CJS
· Prevent crime (including armed groups and insurgents)
· Counter corruption to ensure public ownership and confidence in the CJS
· Regulate and control arms
· Dismantle organised criminal networks
· Gather, assess and use effective intelligence (major cross cutting priority)
· Plan to limit vulnerability and respond effectively to disasters and unsustainable degradation of resources
· Maintain a stable and healthy economy
· Address social and economic causal factors of alienation and crime
· Implement public education programmes (important overall cross-cutting issue)
· Ensure adequate healthcare and education
· Influence regional and international policies and activities (important cross cutting priority)
· Deter, counter or defeat 'Traditional Military Threats'
National security more than crime and violence
SECURITY MORE THAN
CRIME AND VIOLENCE
Many initiatives have been developed to deal with the scourge of crime and violence with varying degrees of success; but, there is now full recognition that national security encompasses much more than concerns about crime and violence, as critical as that is.
National security may be described as the measures taken by a state to ensure its survival, security and protection of its interests. In the Jamaican context, national security takes on a broader meaning beyond military defence from external threats. It encompasses civil defence measures, including emergency preparedness, and the maintenance of law and order internally through the police and other arms of the criminal justice system.
The current challenging security environment locally, coupled with the threat of international terrorism, results in a blurring of traditional agency boundaries with many entities now recognising that they have a role to play in promoting national security. Hence, there is a need to enhance co-ordination and co-operation among the different ministries and national security agencies.
The National Security Strategy (NSS) cohesively integrates the country's major security policies, goals, responsibilities and actions into an overall master plan for the fulfilment of the vision for Jamaica. The NSS outlines the combined use of the political, economic, social, informational and security instruments of national power, including the military. It clarifies the institutional framework within which the armed forces and civil institutions of the state will co-ordinate their activities to create an integrated and cohesive national security network to safeguard national interests. It also prescribes the complementary roles and responsibilities of public and private sectors, as well as members of civil society in supporting national security.
All Jamaicans must play a part in safeguarding the country's national security. Certainly, the JDF and JCF have critical roles to play that are central to the effective implementation of the NSS. Notwithstanding, all Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) should critically examine their directives and conduct their own internal assessment of the implications of their roles and structures.
Individual citizens, the private sector and members of civil society groups are invited to join in this process of transformation and take the necessary steps to contribute to the achievement of the national security goals.
Three-fold transformation process
The NSS approaches this bold process of transformation in a three-fold way, as it requires the transformation first of attitudes, then processes and systems and finally practices.
The NSS aims to TRANSFORM ATTITUDES to promote security awareness and zero tolerance. National security is everyone's business! National security must have first priority and a culture of zero tolerance for disorderly, corrupt and criminal conduct promoted.
The NSS aims to TRANSFORM PROCESSES to achieve unity of effort. Existing mechanisms must be developed and strengthened to encourage cooperation and collaboration for multi-agency security efforts locally and with international partners.
The NSS aims to TRANSFORM PRACTICES for greater efficiency. Capacity must be built and strengthened in all areas of need and the sustained provision of appropriate and affordable resources ensured.
The National Security Strategy has identified eight Strategic Security Goals to effectively address the challenges currently facing the nation. The goals are to:
1. Reduce violent crime and dismantle organised criminal networks
2. Strengthen the criminal justice system and promote respect for rule of law
3. Protect Jamaica from terrorism
4. Protect and control Jamaican territory
5. Strengthen the Integrity of Institutions of Democratic Government
6. Increase Jamaica's Contribution to Regional and International Security
7. Provide the Environment for a Stable Economy and an Effective Delivery of Social Services
8. Protect Jamaica's Natural Resources and Reduce the Risks of Disasters
Matters relating to the effective analysis and use of intelligence, and the enhancement of public education and awareness were also identified as cross-cutting issues.
ACTION PLAN FOR STRATEGIC SECURITY GOALS
Action plan for strategic security goals
An Action Plan has been developed for each of the Strategic Security Goals. The plan outlines the specific capabilities, objectives and actions required by named Ministries, Departments and Agencies which contribute significantly to security within given time frames. An Implementation Matrix is given as an aide in Annex E to allow for the swift identification of primary and supporting responsibilities. As a priority, there are five Special Security Initiatives which underpin the thrust of the NSS in establishing that national security is everyone's business. These are:
1. Strengthening of country's National Intelligence System
2. Conducting Strategic Reviews of Critical National Security Bodies and Accelerating Modernisation Efforts
3. Establishing a National Task Force to Strengthen the Overall Effectiveness of Jamaica's Criminal Justice System and to Review and Strengthen Jamaican Laws and the Law-Making Processes
4. Enhancing Programmes to Promote Community Safety and Security
5. Promoting a National Strategic Communications Programme to Enhance Public Information and Awareness, Solidarity and Support Relating to the NSS
The National Security Council (NSC) chaired by the Prime Minister will be responsible for the implementation of the NSS. The NSC will report to the Cabinet, and the Cabinet to the Parliament for public account.
A National Security Strategy Implementation Unit (NSSIU), to be appointed by the NSC, and established in the OPM to undertake the day-to-day co-ordination and drive the transformation process on behalf of the NSC. However, these government mechanisms alone will not lead to the transformation in Jamaica that all of its citizens desire.
Funding priorities are mentioned, but the development of detailed security related budgets remains the responsibility of the implementing bodies as they incorporate security projects into their annual corporate plans, and ensure that they are implemented through the performance management system.
Stronger partnerships must be developed between citizens, the private sector, civil society and all Government organisations involved in delivering security services. Every member of the public has a key role to play in helping to make Jamaica a safer and more secure place to live, visit and enjoy. This requires greater public involvement and support of law enforcement activities and increased police accountability toward a relationship that is more directly responsive to the citizens.
The underlying message of the NSS is that National Security is everyone's business; and everyone must get involved.
Send comments about the National Security Strategy green paper to nssiuo@cabinet.gov.jm
