Jamaica's New Ticket System Targets Public-Order Offences and Aims to Ease Police Confrontations
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is to introduce a new ticketing system for certain public-order offences as the Government seeks to reduce confrontations between police officers and people who breach the law.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace Horace Chang said the Ticket Information Management System, developed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in partnership with the Ministry of National Security and Peace, would support the administration of fixed-penalty offences.
During a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, he said the system would also strengthen enforcement of the Noise Abatement Act, illegal vending regulations and other public-order offences.
He said the system would allow people to be issued tickets for offences such as illegal vending or noise violations, rather than requiring police officers to confiscate equipment or get involved in confrontations.
“It will be done in a manner that is civilised, non-contentious and in keeping with 21st century operations,” Chang said.
He said a municipal corporation could issue a ticket rather than having highly trained police officers directly engage people over such offences.
Chang said he was particularly concerned about situations in which young police officers confiscated a vendor’s goods and became involved in confrontations with people trying to earn a living.
“We know it’s inappropriate for them to be vending in the wrong place… but a contest with the police is not the way to resolve it,” he said.
Chang said greater attention must now be placed on public order as Jamaica continues to record reductions in murders and other serious crimes.
“We must ensure that the way in which the Police engage citizens is professional, proportionate and respectful. We want effective enforcement while maintaining a strong relationship between the police and the public,” he said.
He said improved public security could strengthen communities, boost confidence among businesses and investors and improve citizens’ quality of life.
“The peace dividend must become a development dividend,” Chang said, arguing that security progress should translate into moew opportunities and prosperity for Jamaicans.
He said the Government also wanted to restore a culture of peace, with violence rejected, the rule of law respected and citizens and police viewing each other as partners.
Chang reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting national security personnel, investing in the security forces and pursuing policies and programmes to consolidate the gains made in reducing violence.
“We will not yield any ground to criminals in this country,” he said.
Chang said the Government wanted the reduction in violence to become a permanent feature of Jamaica’s national life and to use the improved security environment as a foundation for development, a better quality of life and greater prosperity.
