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Jamaica’s National Security Policy:

Addressing Organised Crime

UNODC - Regional Event on Organised Crime

Strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean Panama

PRESENTED BY: CHADINE ALLEN & KHRYSTINA BOURNE

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY, JAMAICA
31 MARCH, 2022
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Outline of Presentation

 Jamaica’s National Security Policy Framework

 Notice Trends of Organised Crime Groups

 Strategies Against Organised Crime using 4 Ps Approach

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The National Security policy

 The NSP is the Government’s mandate for the  maintenance of law and
order, the protection of the country against internal and external threats, the
safety of Jamaica's borders and the punishment and rehabilitation of
offenders

 Vision of National Security: “To establish a safe and secure environment

for the people of Jamaica, so that together we can build a prosperous and
progressive society, founded on democracy and liberty, justice and the
rule of law, responsibility and respect for human rights and dignity. “
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The National Security Policy

SIX KEY REFORMS:

1. Remove the Profit from Crime

2. Reform the Justice System
3. Policing by Consent
4. Adapt a Coherent Anti-Gang Strategy
5. Focus on at-risk youth and communities
6. Strengthen systems of governance
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The National Security Policy

 The National Security Policy utilizes a Probability Impact

Matrix which estimates the probabilities and impacts of
threats to national security as the basis for determining priorities
and allocating resources.
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The National Security Policy

High Impact Low Impact

High Probability Tier 1 Tier 3
Top Priority, Active Response Medium Priority, Regular Review

Low Probability Tier 2 Tier 4

Monitor Carefully, Build Low Priority, Occasional Review
Resistance
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The National Security Policy

Tier 1  Transnational organised crime Gangs and domestic

organised crime
Clear and Present  Facilitators who launder the proceeds of crime.
Threats  Links between the political system and organised crime
 Lengthy delays and weaknesses in the justice system that
undermine confidence in justice. And corruption in the
institutions of state.
 Gang-dominated garrison communities.
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The National Security Policy

 Overseas gangs seek to extend their influence and

Tier 2 diversify their operations across the Caribbean.
Major Potential  Terrorism
Threats  Potential shortages of energy and other resources, natural
hazards, climate change and environmental degradation
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The National Security Policy

Tier 3  The possible loss of credibility with key international

Persistent Problem partners.
 Poverty and unemployment
 Educational Training

Tier 4  Food security

Possible Risks that  Water security
Require Monitoring
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Organised Crime:
The Clear and Present Threat
 The most important and immediate threat to national security and to the
lives of the people of Jamaica is the high rate of violent crime and
homicide.

 The activities of transnational criminal organisations and local gangs,

who are supported by corruption, fraud, extortion and money laundering,
have been identified as the key players, thereby illustrating the clear and
present threat organised criminal groups pose to Jamaican society.
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Jamaica’s Boarder (Economic Exclusive
Zone)
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Noticeable Trends of Organised Crime Groups

Firearms Trafficking

 Highest of homicide for the region at 49.4 per 100,000 people (2021).

 Data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, indicate that on average, over 85% of murders and other
serious crimes of violence are committed with firearms.

 This trend is believed to be the result of the trafficking of illegal firearms and ammunition. (Guns
for Drugs Trade between Haiti and Jamaica, which has created a route for an arsenal of illegal guns to
be brought into Jamaica).
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Homicide rates in
selected Latin
American and
Caribbean countries in
2021
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Noticeable Trends of Organised Crime Groups

Drug Trafficking

 Caribbean and its difficult-to-patrol coastline contribute to its vulnerability as a target to organised
crime groups involved in drug trafficking.

 The modus operandi and routes utilized have shifted since the onset of the pandemic, further increasing
the difficulty in monitoring these activities and highlighting the adaptive nature of this activity.

 The threat posed to Jamaica by this activity have been deemed far reaching, affecting citizen health,
safety, security, and financial well-being.
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Uncontrolled ports used

to traffic contraband 2018
– 2020
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Noticeable Trends of Organised Crime Groups

Money Laundering

 Monies obtained by illicit means are brought into the country’s formal financial system.

 Criminal networks utilize a myriad of methods to legitimize funds - investing in business

ventures (construction companies, real estate, car marts and transport) and the hosting of
entertainment events.
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Noticeable Trends of Organised Crime Groups

Cyber Threats

 Increased used of technology has resulted in opportunities for Criminal Organizations to perpetrate
cybercrimes with high profits such as identity theft, various forms of internet fraud and the lottery scam
as opposed to other traditional forms of organised crimes.

 This has led to Jamaica rethinking its strategy in protecting their citizens by making way for the
enactment of the Cybercrimes Act in 2015, the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy
and for the exploration of prospects for a National Cyber Policy.
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Noticeable Trends of Organised Crime Groups

Trafficking in Persons

Organised criminal groups utilize:

 Social media platforms and false job offers

 Increased targeting of persons within communities vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labour,

residents of Jamaica’s poverty-stricken areas, migrant workers, and workers in the informal sector.

 Children are exploited in forced begging or in forced criminal activity as lookouts, armed gunmen, or

couriers of weapons and drugs., as well as activities in advanced fee fraud (lotto-scamming). 
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Strategies Against Organised Crime

 A multi-faceted approach including reviewing and enacting legislation, social intervention activities
and development of operational initiatives geared towards the fight against Organised Crime Groups.

 The approach of Jamaica is akin to the approaches of preventing crime, pursuing organised criminal
groups, protecting of vulnerable individuals and communities and promoting cooperation against
organised crime also known as a strategic framework of the 4Ps, highlighted in the Organised Crime
Strategy Toolkit that UNODC developed in 2021.
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4 Ps Approach
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Prevention
THE PREVENTION STRATEGIES UTILIZED BY JAMAICA, ARE AIMED AT
REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF FUTURE INVOLVEMENT AND EXPOSURE TO CRIME. 
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National Crime Prevention and Community Development
Initiatives

 Unite for Change Initiative

 Citizen security programme

 Plan secure Jamaica

 
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Violence Prevention in Targeted Vulnerable Communities and
Schools

 These initiatives place emphasis on enhancing the relationship between at-risk youth and members of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force (JCF), particularly the Community Safety and Security Branch in specific geographic spaces.

 Support is also provided by the Ministries of Education and Youth, and Justice for school-based activities as well
as the child diversion and restorative justice programmes.
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The National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons

Through the Task Force, the GOJ continues its counter TIP efforts in the area of prevention by
public education initiatives. These include:

 A handbook on Trafficking in Persons for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

 Development and introduction of TIP curriculum in secondary schools
 Launching of Anti-Trafficking in Persons (a-TIP) Clubs in twenty (20) secondary schools
across the island
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The Drug Demand Reduction Program

 The Drug Demand Reduction Programme provides strategies that prevent the exploitation of at-
risk populations affected by drug trafficking.

 The Programme is led by the National Council on Drug Abuse in collaboration with the
Narcotics Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It targets young people in school up to
tertiary level, as well as unattached youths especially those residing in areas prone to violence
and drug activity.
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Pursue
THE STRATEGIES UTILIZED IN JAMAICA TO PURSUE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE
GEARED TOWARDS DISMANTLING AND INHIBITING THE GROWTH OF CRIMINAL
ENTERPRISES
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The Review and Enactment of Legislation:

 The Maritime Drug Trafficking (Suppression) Act was enacted in 1988 to make provision for the suppression of
illicit maritime drug trafficking and all related matters.

 A new Cyber Crimes Act was enacted in 2015 to address computer specific offences, computer-related fraud or
forgery; the use of computers for malicious communication; and unauthorized disclosure of investigation.

 The Repeal and Replace of the Firearms Act is currently being debated by a Joint select Committee, and proposes
harsher penalties for offences connected to the illicit trade, manufacture, stockpiling, possession and use of illegal
guns.
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The Review and Enactment of Legislation:

 The Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act was enacted in 2014 to target leaders of criminal
organizations and to criminalize the management and the participation and promotion of the activities of criminal organizations.

 The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) was enacted in 2007. It allows the Assets Recovery Agency to seize assets in the form of
cash and property, including land, where these assets were acquired from criminal activities. POCA targets drug trafficking, lottery
scamming, gangs, illicit guns for drugs trade and terrorism financing.

 The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act was enacted in 2007 due to the lucrative nature of
human trafficking and it presents an imminent threat to Jamaica and complies with obligations set by the UNTOC. The Act
prescribes measures to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.
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The Establishment of Anti-Crime Task Forces

 Joint Anti-Gang Task Force consists of members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica
Defence Force (JDF) with focus on the dismantling of gangs, which have proven to be the main perpetrators of
violent crimes.

 Anti-Lottery Scamming Task Force was established within the JCF to go after lottery scammers who are bilking
millions of dollars from Americans, mainly senior citizens, each year.

 NATFATIP (previously mentioned) to address Trafficking in Persons, chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of National Security
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Protect
THE INITIATIVES CONDUCTED ARE GEARED TOWARDS AIDING THOSE
AFFECTED NEGATIVELY BY ORGANISED CRIME
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Victim Support Unit

 Victim Support Unit is led by Ministry of Justice.

 The Unit supports and identifies victims needs and advocating their rights.

 Services offered free, confidential, and of the highest quality.

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Promoting Cooperation
JOINED UP GOVERNMENT APPROACH & WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT APPROACH
LOCAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ARE KEY ELEMENTS IN
JAMAICA’S FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME
CONTINUOUS REVIEW, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
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Memoranda of Understanding

 MOUs between domestic law enforcement bodies for data and information sharing and
joint investigations among key stakeholders in the fight against organised crimes.

 Regionally, MOUs with CARICOM IMPACS including the Small Arms Survey to Reduce
Gun Violence in the Caribbean.
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Information and Intelligence Sharing

Jamaica also utilizes information sharing and gathering mechanisms facilitated through

membership and participation in regional and international groups. This includes:

 Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)

 The AIRCOP Project

 The Joint Operation Link to Telemarketing (JOLT)

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Mutual Legal Assistance

 Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) is a tool of cooperation used by Jamaica to assist other
countries in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences or proceedings that extend
beyond its national borders. Jamaica has enacted the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters)
Act, (MACMA) 1995.

 The MACMA is a primary piece of legislation that governs Jamaica’s participation in the
global community in mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

 Other support legislation includes the Extradition Act, Terrorism Prevention Act, Proceeds of
Crime Act, 2007 and the Financial Investigation Division Act.
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Questions

Contact Information:

Ms. Chadine Allen

Senior Director, International Security Relations Unit
Email: Chadine.allen@mns.gov.jm

Ms. Khrystina A. Bourne

Policy Manager, Law Enforcement Unit
Law Enforcement, Forensics and Defense Branch
Email: Khrystina.bourne@mns.gov.jm