THE GOVERNMENT'S plans to establish a new civilian organisation for community policing has not gone down well with members of the United District Constables Association (UDCA).

Speaking at an inaugural UDCA awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus last Friday, National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips said a submission has been made to Cabinet for the setting up of a Community Safety Officers Corps. He said when this unit is set up, district constables can apply to join once they are under age 65.

But Harold Francis, president of the UDCA, told The Gleaner yesterday that most of his 1,500 members have shown little enthusiasm to join the new force.

"I can't give a genuine percentage, but I can tell you the majority are not in favour of it. They prefer to work as district constables with a clear, specific mandate," Francis said.

Phillips said persons who qualify for the Community Safety Officers Corps will undergo comprehensive training in crime scene management, conduct of crime prevention and community safety audit. He gave no start-up date for the organisation.