The reassignments in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) announced by Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas on February 20, take effect today.

Thirty-six senior members of the officer corps were reassigned last month in a major re-shuffle designed to tackle the escalating crime that has been threatening to reverse the gains made by the police last year.

Several high-profile cops were transferred in a move strategically aimed at reducing crime in high-crime zones across the island.

Since the announcement, there has been an optimistic response to several of the transfers expressed by both citizens and members of the force.

New posts

The parish of St. James, which has been a 'hotbed' of criminal activity since late last year, is now the responsibility of Superintendent Steve McGreggor, who has been shifted from St. Thomas. He will be assisted by Deputy Superintendents (DSP) Meveral Smith and Rainford Hardy.

Other transfers include former head of the St. James Division, Supt. Warren Clarke, to the Area 4 Headquarters in downtown Kingston. His crime officer, DSP Mickey Scott, has been transferred to the Kingston West Division, while the area's operation officer, John Morris, was sent to Area 2 Headquarters in St. Mary.

Another member of the St. James management team, DSP Rudolph Taylor, will join the staff at Mobile Reserve, Kingston.

Also transferred is Supt. Newton Amos, who has been moved from the St. Andrew South Division to the Area 5 Headquarters. He has been replaced bySupt. Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight.

DSP Derrick Champagnie was transferred from the Kingston Central CIB to St. Catherine North; Supt. Martin Baylis from St. Andrew Central to Manchester and former Police Federation Chairman, Supt. Michael James, from the Manchester division to Mobile Reserve.

DSP Patrick Murdock, a former traffic cop, has been transferred from St. Catherine North to Clarendon, while Supt. Maurice Robinson will take over command of the Westmoreland division.