Jamaica merges 2 law agencies for corruption fight

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica has consolidated two law enforcement agencies with the intention of better tackling public corruption and organized crime, the Caribbean island’s top security official said Monday.

At a news conference in the capital of Kingston, National Security Minister Peter Bunting told reporters that the police force’s anti-corruption agency and a major organized crime task force have been merged.

Bunting expects combining the two agencies will “result in greater effectiveness through better use of limited resources in the fight against criminals and corruption.”

He said the new organization dubbed the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency should streamline communication and boost law enforcers’ capacity to carry out effective investigations on high-profile suspects, “including the police and those in public office.”

Bunting said new laws and additional procedures being enacted will also assist with arresting and prosecuting criminals.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up