JPF LOGO
JPF

 

HISTORY OF THE POLICE FEDERATION

The Police Federation came into existence following the 1938 labour unrest which gave birth to the modern trade union movement and the two major parties. At the time, Rank and File Policemen displayed great interest in the work of the trade unions and were enthusiastic about the prospect of worker representation within the Force. This was not to be the rules of the Police Force bar union membership. Which Rank and File Members of the Force denied representation; this was not the situation with the higher ranks, as Gazetted Officers were represented by a Staff Association. It was a period in the history of the Constabulary when black native policemen could not get past the rank of Sergeant Major, today’s equivalent of the rank of inspector. In order to address the issue of representation for members of the Force, the Colonial Officer dispatched a representative to the United Kingdom to study the British Police Federation model, for local adoption.

BIRTH OF THE FEDERATION

In 1944, the Police Federation was created by the provision of Sub-Section 1 of Section 67 of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act which stipulates: “for the purpose of enabling the Sub-Officers and Constables of the Force to consider and bring to the notice at the Commissioner of Police and minister of National Security all matters affecting their general welfare and efficiency, there shall be established in accordance with the second Schedule an organization to be called the Police Federation which shall act through Branch Boards. Central Conferences and a Central Committee. As provided in that Schedule.”

EARLY COMMITTEE

Surviving records show one of the early Central Committees, the committee of 1948 consisted of members: Sgt. Majors C.A. Brown. J.N. Ricketts. Det. Sgt. J.E. Pommels. Sgt. G.S. Anderson. Cpls. B.L. Scott and A.A. Dwyer. Det. A/Cpl. R. A. Smith and Second Class Cons. H. E. Williams.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE
CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Strategic Direction

  • Internal Negotiations

  • Conditions of Work
  • 40 Hour Work Week
  • Physical Infrastructure
  • Salary & Benefits

External Negotiations

  • Insurance (Life, Health & General)
  • Alliances with Financial Institutions

    Organisation

  • Changing the rules
  • Office organisation and management
  • Service

IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT JPF

  • Members of the Force are prohibited from being members of any Trade Union
  • Police Federation was established under the Constabulary Force Act
  • Law 47 of 1944 (last law enacted by the Legislative Council)
  • Purpose: enabling members to consider and bring matters to the Commissioner and the Government (Sect. 67 (1) – JCF Act.
  • Members of the Gazetted ranks are exempted from membership
  • The Federation acts through Branch Boards, Central Conferences and a Central Committee in accordance with the Second Schedule of the J.C.F. Act
  • The Federation can’t make representation on any question of discipline, promotion, transfer, leave or any other matter unless a question of principle is involved. Sect. 67 (2) – JCF Act.
  • An application is required by the member