The Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) has commenced the development of a performance management and assessment framework (PMAF), which will be used to measure and assess the performance of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and its auxiliaries.

According to PCOA Chief Executive Officer Richard Black, the framework will not only assist in identifying critical issues, but also provide appropriate recommendations as needed.

Citizen-focused service

"The PMAF will assist the JCF to become a more forward- thinking, proactive and citizen-focused service which engages in an ongoing process of planning, monitoring and revising what it does and how it delivers its service. This, in turn, should help towards strengthening positive relations between the force and the public," he stated.

Examination of best practices

Critical in the development of the programme, which was conceived last year, is the examination of best practices used in internationally successful law enforcement oversight models. As such, earlier this year, representatives from the PCOA attended an international seminar on performance management of police in the United Kingston, in addition to undertaking numerous visits to UK police authorities and law enforcement entities, including Her Majesty's Inspectorate of the Constabulary, the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the UK National Policing Improvement Agency.

Black said that, as part of efforts to assist in the transformation of the JCF into a highly motivated professional, disciplined and service-oriented entity, the authority has been engaged in active consultations with various stakeholders with a view to improving the relationship between the force and the public.

So far this year, two public forums were organised in the parishes of St James and Westmoreland, with others planned for later in the year.

Forums well received

"The forums were well received by both the police and citizenry, so much so that, in the case of the one held in Westmoreland, key stakeholders extended offers to assist the police in the area of training in customer service," he said.

Upcoming visits to similar entities are also planned for the United States and Canada in August.

For further information, persons are invited to visit the PCOA's website at www.pcoajamaica.org.