The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has announced its official procedure for the seizure of vehicles by police personnel amid claims that cops have been conspiring with wrecker drivers to shake down motorists.

"There have been such allega-tions, and what we are trying to do is eliminate all of that, if it exists," Karl Angell, the consta-bulary's communications director, said in an inter-view with The Gleaner on Monday.

"Before the policeman on the ground calls a wrecker, they must call Control first, and Control will do the assignment of the wrecker to the particular incident," said Angell.

Moore transparency

He said last weekend's move to publish the list of police-accredited wrecker companies was a bid for the force to be more transparent and to make motorists aware of the authorised towing agencies.

"If there is a breach of this integrity, if there is a breach of this trust, we are asking people to call us and tell us because we can't go out there and monitor everything ourselves. We need the help of the public. One hand certainly cannot clap," he declared.

Angell also advised the public to pay close attention to the names of wrecker companies removing their vehicles, and to write down the number on uniforms worn by police personnel, as well as the number on police service vehicles.

He told The Gleaner that there are plans to publish the list in the daily newspapers for a week and a half, starting this Friday. He said the information has already been published in the Force Orders to sensitise all policemen and women.

Indiscriminate behaviour

Angell said he was not aware of wrecker services conspiring with thieves to steal vehicles, but added, "What I am aware of is that we want to cut out the indiscri-minate behaviour of policemen who would just call a wrecker company to take away people's vehicles following infractions of the Road Traffic Act."

A release from the JCF on Monday warned, "If unapproved wrecker companies are used by the police, affected parties should immediately, or as quickly as possible, contact the police by calling the inspectorate of the constabulary on the toll-free line 1-888-429-5523."

Reports may also be made through the police emergency number, 119.