Minister of National Security Dr. Peter Phillips (right), and Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University and chairman of the Jamaica Constabulary Forces Strategic Review Panel, address journalists during a press conference held at the National Security Ministry's Oxford Road offices in St. Andrew yesterday. - Contributed photos

All eight members of the panel that has been mandated to conduct a strategic review of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were yesterday named by National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips.

Dr. Phillips, speaking during a press conference at the National Security Ministry's Oxford Road offices in St. Andrew, said the team - including four foreigners - will start its review immediately. They are expected to present their recommendations to the ministry in May 2008.

Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University, has been appointed chairman of the review panel. The other panelists are former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Noel Eldridge; Peter Moses, a vice-president of Citibank; former financial secretary Shirley Tyndall; Stephen House, an assistant commissioner with Britain's Metropolitan Police; Professor Clifford Shearing, a director of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cape Town in South Africa; Hubert Williams, president of the Police Foundation in Washington, D.C.; and Cal Corley, chief superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Look into suspect areas

Dr. Phillips said the panel will look at areas where it is believed the JCF is suspect. These include corruption, human rights and indiscipline.

"Clearly, there is an urgent need to transform the environment of policing," Dr. Phillips said. "This strategic review is the first systematic attempt to examine the basic structures of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, with a view to engage in a comprehensive restructuring of the organisational frame."

Dr. Phillips said the review panel will collaborate with the Police Civilian Oversight Authority, as well as a resource group that includes Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, and public servants from the Justice and Security ministries.

During his contribution to the recent Sectoral Debate, Dr. Phillips said there would be a comprehensive review of the JCF, based on the recommendations of the National Security Policy.