The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is upbeat about its crime-fighting strategies for 2007.

Speaking at the JCF's annual devotion, held on the lawns of the constabulary's headquarters in St. Andrew, yesterday morning, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas said the force will be seeking to improve a number of its strategies to ensure a further reduction in the murder rate. Murders were reduced by 20 per cent last year.

While not revealing entirely his plans for 2007, Commis-sioner Thomas said there would be improved strategies of policing the nation's roadways in order to stem the migration of criminals from urban communities to rural areas. He said that while a number of divisions managed to reduce crime, there were some, particularly St. James, St. Ann and Westmoreland, where crime had increased.

Expose corrupt cops

The commissioner also lent his voice to an appeal to policemen to expose corrupt cops in the Constabulary Force. He said the Police High Command was not capable of doing the job by themselves and therefore, needed the help of law-abiding officers with information to tell what they know.

He also urged Jamaicans not to support the lifestyle of corrupt policemen and to report incidents of bribery or corruption to the Police Public Complaints Authority.