Reese

The Ministry of National Security has moved to reassure concerned police personnel that it is moving quickly to ensure that each member is equipped with bulletproof vests.

In keeping with its modernisation drive, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has moved a step farther to acquire data-marking equipment to ensure that the delivery of bullet-proof vests is sustained.

Richard Reese, permanent secretary in the security ministry, told The Gleaner on Wednesday that adequate bulletproof vests were in supply and that arrangements had been made to ensure they were appropriately marked.

"They have a significant amount in stock," Reese said, "We definitely have vests waiting to be marked and issued."

Important equipment

Rank-and-file police personnel have complained to The Gleaner that the vests are in short supply and that some young police personnel recently out of training school were unable to access the all-important equipment.

The Gleaner was told that police personnel were informed by the stores from which the vests are allocated that the company contracted to place regulation marks on them have refused to do so as they are owed funds by the Government.

"The likelihood of increased volatility has left the policemen fearful of venturing on the road," one policeman said

Reese said two companies were contracted to place the regulation marks on the vests.

He disclosed that one of the companies is owed $61,000, but that a cheque had been prepared to meet the obligation.

Sophisticated criminals

However, to prevent future glitches, Reese said the police's stores and armoury department had acquired its own marking equipment and was working feverishly to have the regulation data placed on the vests.

He also called on the divisions to contact the stores to obtain the vests.

National Security Minister Dwight Nelson has repeatedly said the Government was committed to ensuring that members of the security forces were adequately equipped to take on sophisticated criminal elements.