Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

The government is facing strong opposition to the planned merger of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Last month, National Security Minister, Peter Bunting, disclosed that the Government would be pursuing the merger of the forces this year.

However, Chairman of the Island Special Constabulary Force Association, Special Inspector Andrew Johnson, said his organisation will not support a merger as outlined in the current proposal.

Addressing his association’s 28th Annual Joint Central Conferences in Ocho Rios yesterday, Special Inspector Johnson argued that the proposal was not a merger but an absorption of the ISCF into the JCF.

He said members of the association have unanimously stated that they cannot accept the merger as proposed.

Special Inspector Johnson said his members would support the move to join both forces, if a new police service was formed.

In seeking to appease the association, Bunting told the conference that the plan to merge the JCF and ISCF was not based on any concern regarding the performance of the ISCF.

He said the ISCF had distinguished itself and has performed well.

Bunting said the move to bring the forces under a Police Management Authority was an opportunity to optimize resources, eliminate overlapping of functions, bring consistency in standards and combine synergies.

The security minister assured the ISCF members that their pension, health and other benefits would be secured in a merger.

He told police commissioner Owen Ellington that when the merger is complete, there should be no discrimination and that the transition must not be disadvantageous to ISCF members.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Ellington, said it would be inappropriate to comment on the proposed merger at this time, as the government is yet to issue a policy statement on the matter.

However, he said he would be willing to meet with the JCF and ISCF to discuss the issue.

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