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J.C.F POLICY ON PUBLIC

INTERACTION AND DIVERSITY

Prepared by: Sgt. Linford Edwards and Cons. O. Thompson

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DISCLAIMER
• Though the benefits of online learning have been lauded, it
must be noted that the content of the lesson delivered
online is by no means exhaustive and as such, participants
should take steps to conduct individual research by
consulting external materials.

• Lessons will cater to different learning styles and as such a

variety of methodologies will be used including lectures,
tutorials, role plays, demonstrations and online discussion
forums.
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FORMAT OF PRESENTATION
• The presentation will be divided in 45 minute sessions
• Each session will end with an activity that reviews the
session.
• At the end of each session there will also be a preview of the
upcoming session.
• Sessions will be mainly discussions and questions and
answers.
• The questions and activities are inline with the lesson
objectives.
• You are encouraged to submit your questions which will be
answered at the end of each session.
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SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
• Discuss the importance of the Public Interaction Policy
• State the purpose of the Public Interaction Policy
• Demonstrate how to adhere to the standards outlined in
the Public Interaction Policy
• Use the Public Interaction Policy guidelines to reflect how
duties are performed
•
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SECTION A
• Purpose of the Public Interaction Policy
• Police Legislative Powers to Search
• Administrative Guidance: Conduct and Decorum
• Contact initiated by the police
• Stop & Account
• Approaching vehicles stopped
• When a motorist fails to stop
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BRAINSTORMING

What are the rights under the

Constitution of Jamaica?
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CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
• Right to life • Protection of law
• No arbitrary arrest • Freedom of conscience
• Freedom of movement • Freedom of expression
• No inhumane treatment • Freedom of assembly
• Right to own property • No discrimination
• Privacy of property
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POLICE CITIZEN INTERACTIONS MUST
• Reflect respect for citizens rights and dignity;

• Portray professional image of the police; and

• Enhances police citizen relationship.

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PURPOSE OF SOPS
• Set of practical guide;

• Minimum standards to be adhered to;

• Standardize the manner in which police personnel carry out

their daily duties;

• Consistent demonstration of high standards of

professionalism;

• Maintain discipline in the organization.

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SOPS INTENDED TO TRANSFORM
Negative aspects of the Force culture:

• Disrespect;

• Abuse of power;

• Incivility; and

• Disregard for the rights of the citizens

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SOPS INTENDED TO
Promote and support:

• Discipline;

• Respect;

• Professionalism;

• Compliance with the rule of law; and accountability for all

our actions.
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POWERS TO STOP & SEARCH
• Jamaican Constitution;

• Several legislations including but not limited to;

• Constabulary Force Act (Section 19);
• Dangerous Drugs Act Section 24 (1));
• Road Traffic Act (Sec. 34 (3), 56 (1), 58 & 22; and
• Firearms Act (Section 42 (1)).
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ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE:
CONDUCT AND DECORUM
• All members conduct their duties and responsibilities with
integrity and transparency consistent with ethical
standards of the Force.

• Only ethical practices in gathering evidence will be

appreciated and considered in the investigative process
and only professional conduct of members will be
accepted.

• The image of the organization and its reputation will be

preserved through professional service delivery at every
point of contact with citizens
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CONTACT INITIATED BY THE POLICE

The JCF expects that on every occasion members should be

cognizant of the following:
• The Highest standards of ethical and professional behavior
should be demonstrated.
• It is the sworn duty of members of the JCF to treat all
persons with “proper respect for the rights of all”.
• No offence was committed against the individual police
man or woman but against the state.
• Where an offence is committed against a member of the
JCF same should be investigated and the perpetrator(s)
brought to justice.
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CONT’D
When addressing citizens members should:
• Be polite in all areas of contact with members of the public
• Do not use words such as “aunt, uncle, big man or boy “to
address persons that you interact with,
• Members must be respectful to all persons they come in
contact with irrespective of age, class, status
• Adult males should be addressed as Sir, young males as
young man,
• Adult females be addressed as Miss or their respective title
if known.
• Prisoners in custody should be addressed by their names
and persons attending court should be called with Mr., Mrs.
1 STOP AND ACCOUNT
• Member of the public stopped;

• Person not searched;

• Requires person to give an account of:

• his actions,
• behavior, or
• mere presence at a location.

• Police obligated to explain action on request.

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STOP AND ACCOUNT (PURPOSE)
• Enable police to observe,

• Verify person’s legitimacy at location,

• Verify person’s actions or modus operandi,

• Not grounds to search,

• Unsatisfactory account may lead to search,

• If searched it must be recorded.

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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)

• Usually done by traffic personnel,

• Number one signal to stop used

• Stops carried out with courtesy, consideration and respect.

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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)

SOP 1
• Persons must be greeted politely
eg. “Good morning, good day or good night Sir or
Miss, I am Linford Edwards Sergeant of police along
with a team from the National Police College of
Jamaica. We are conducting spot – check operations
under the Road Traffic Act and would like to examine
your motor vehicle documents.”
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)

SOP 2
• The police should then instruct driver to turn off engine;
e.g. “Please switch off your engine and step from your
vehicle with the documents for the vehicle as also your
driver’s licence.”
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
Occupants exiting vehicle is situational

• Suspect occupants armed,

• All occupants need to be seen,

• Vehicle search contemplated.

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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
• SOP 3
• Where suspicion is heightened the instruction to the
motorist should be in this format,
• “Please switch off the engine of your motor vehicle.
Keep your left hand on the steering wheel and use your
right hand to open the driver’s door. Please step from
the motor vehicle. You will be required to produce your
driver’s licence.”
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
SOP 4
• If any violation is detected the police should proceed based
on his/her legitimate authority;
example; “Your licence disc has expired and you will
be issued with a ticket.” Or “The registration plate
numbers on your vehicle are obscured and as such
your vehicle will be seized.”
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
• If no violation is detected
• thank the motorist and occupants,
• apologize for the inconvenience, and
• bid driver/occupants a good day,

• No one in excess of five minutes

• Queries and concerns MUST AT ALL TIMES be politely

entertained and addressed.
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
Despite provocation members will not:

• use unlawful force;

• use abusive, threatening, or indecent language to any

member of the public;

• demand driver’s keys (unless seizure);

• order person out vehicle (unless search);

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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
If vehicle is seized:
• owner/driver sign as to the state/condition of the vehicle;
• receipt also be signed by the officer and kept;
• owner/driver given opportunity to remove belongings;
• informed where their vehicle taken/kept
• police to ensure safety of the occupants
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STOP AND ACCOUNT (GUIDELINES)
If vehicle is seized cont’d:
• No police to drive the vehicle but escort where possible;
• No driver’s license to be seized (unless revoked;
• Police not to open door of a motorist vehicle;
• No item other than exhibit to be removed;
• Stops and searches to be conducted in well lit areas.
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APPROACHING VEHICLES STOPPED

• At no time should the police point weapons directly at

individuals unless they are under threat and or intend to
shoot;

• Weapons kept at the ready should be lowered as soon as

any threat is defused;
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APPROACHING VEHICLES STOPPED
• Vehicular stop and search carried out by members
travelling in service vehicles should follow:

• Not less than two police personnel should be in service

vehicle;
• There should be no civilians in the service vehicle;
• The driver of targeted vehicle should be signaled to stop
( via flashing lights, siren, loud hailer horn etc);

• Service vehicle should stop behind targeted vehicle;

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APPROACHING VEHICLES STOPPED
CONT’D
• Blocking of the public thoroughfare should
not be done unless it’s a tactic that supports
the operation;

• Instructions should be given to the driver to

turn the engine off and for driver/passengers
to place hands where the police can see them;

• One member should give instructions to the

driver /passengers (preferably the observer);
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APPROACHING VEHICLES STOPPED
CONT’D
• The observer/observers should then
cautiously approach the vehicle stopped,
ensuring their safety;

• The above instructions captured under Stop

& Search would then be followed;

• Occupants of vehicles should be told that all

instructions are to be obeyed for their safety
and that of the officers eg. “For your safety
and mine, please switch off the car engine.
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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
FOR STOP AND SEARCH
All stops and searches must be carried out with courtesy,
consideration and respect.
• Persons must be greeted good morning, good day or good night
Sir or Madam ( same text as above);
• The police, who stops to search, must provide the individual
with information including:
a. Their name ,rank and the station where they work ;
b. The law under which persons have been stopped;
c. Explanation of why they are being stopped and searched;
d. Motorist will be requested to exit vehicle as scripted above and
where the trunk of vehicle will be searched occupants of vehicle
should be requested to accompany police personnel;
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SOPS FOR STOP AND SEARCH
CONT’D
• The process should be handled quickly (to be quantified)
and professionally;

• The police officer will ask as few questions as necessary

and proceed to search based on some suspicion or
information;

• If a violation is detected the police should proceed based

on the legislative provisions of his/her authority;
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SOPS FOR STOP AND SEARCH
CONT’D
• If there are no detected violations the police should
apologize for any inconvenience caused and wish
individuals a good day.

• Under no circumstances should a member solicit personal

information from a citizen in order to start a relationship.
No sexist, racial or offensive remarks should be made to
any citizen and no favours solicited.
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WHEN A MOTORIST FAILS TO STOP
In instances where a motorist fails to stop after been so
signaled by the police, the following is to be adhered to:

• The police should seek to ascertain identification features

of the vehicle (Registration number, make, model, color etc.
);
• Note time and place of incident;
• Communicate the information via radio to police control;
• Proceed with investigation and summon the owner/driver
to court;
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WHEN A MOTORIST FAILS TO STOP
CONT’D
• The police should refrain from engaging in high-speed
chase of motorists who refuse to obey them;

• Trailing at safe distance and communicating with back-up

resources is a safe and effective tactic.
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ACTIVITY
Discuss the meaning of the following:
1. What are the rights under the Constitution of Jamaica?
2. What are the police power and legislative authority to
stop and search
3. What are the Negative aspects of the Force’s culture;
4. Discuss the Positive aspects JCF needs to promote.
5. Stop and account;
6. Stop and search.
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ACTIVITY CONT’D
Based on what you have
learnt critically analyze
the cartoon image and
discuss.
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SECTION B
• Accountability (How to document actions as per daily
deployment)
• Contact Initiated by the public via:
• Visits to the station
• Follow-up
• Approaches in public spaces
• Matters directed by Police Emergency Centre
• Effecting an arrest
• Carrying of firearm in public places
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ACCOUNTABILITY
In instances of stop and search operations, members have a
responsibility to document their action as per the daily
deployment form attached. This should be submitted to the
Operations Office at their respective formations and shall
contain the following information:

• Date and time of the stop and search,

• Location of the stop and search,
• The grounds for the stop and search,
• Number of arrests, cautions; warnings and seizures
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ACCOUNTABILITY CONT’D

• The result of the stop and search,

• Names, address of persons stopped and searched,
• Names, rank, regulation numbers and stations of the
officers conducting the operation.
• Any observations; difficulties, suggestions/
recommendations
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CONTACTS INITIATED BY THE
PUBLIC
Visits to the station:
When members of the public attend the station/police
formation requesting police service, the police must:
• Acknowledge the individual within two minutes;
• Greet the individual formally and politely, in this manner,
“Good day or Good night sir/ madam/ miss/ I am
Constable Oshane Thompson. How may I help you?”
• Station officers and station guards must listen attentively
to customers‟ complaints and only ask pertinent questions.
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Visits to the station Cont’d:
• Where the customer asks questions of the police, it
is important that accurate responses are provided.
If the member is unsure of the information
indicate that to the citizen and seek guidance as
early as possible, for example,

“I am unsure just now but I will try and get the

information for you if you will wait.” OR “I am
uncertain just now but if you were to leave a
name and number I will pass on the information/
correct procedure to you.”
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Visits to the station Cont’d:

• Where such assurance is given, the police should follow

through within twenty-four (24) hours. Such actions help
with confidence building.

• Respond promptly to the citizen’s need by ascertaining the

nature of service required and providing it or arranging
for it to be provided;
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Visits to the station Cont’d:

• NEVER tell customers that no vehicle is available or

vehicle is at the garage, instead seek assistance from
adjoining stations or via Police Control while
reassuring your customer;

• Show appreciation /sensitivity to customer’s concern (do

not trivialize reports…);

• Document citizens‟ particulars and reports and issue

receipt;
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Visits to the station Cont’d:
• In cases where the report necessitates the police visiting a
locus ,the supervisor on duty must be informed and
assume responsibility for deploying police resources
within reasonable time;

• Matters emanating from offences against the person (e.g.

Threat, assaults, wounding) are considered emergency and
must be attended to immediately;

• Matters not considered emergency must be attended to

within an hour, failing this a report must be filed by the
supervisor on duty at the time as to the factors leading to
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Visits to the station Cont’d:

• The police must ensure that the rights of suspects are not
violated when, actions are taken against persons who may
be the subject of a report to the police;

• Suspects should be allowed to secure (or make

arrangements to secure) their property, properly attire
themselves, inform family members or neighbours where
they will be, before taking them to the station;
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Visits to the station Cont’d:

• Where customers attend with issues that are civil such as

land and rent, your response should be; “Madam/ Sir/ Miss
please contact a lawyer who will be better able to address
this matter.” DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY ATTORNEY to
citizens. That choice is theirs. In the event of dissatisfaction,
let it not be said that it was based on the recommendation of
the police.

• NEVER turn away a citizen who is inappropriately attired.

ALL citizens must be treated with courtesy and respect.
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FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
In terminating a citizen initiated contact the police should:
• Enquire if the citizen/public is satisfied with the service;
• Inform them of the next step(s) in the process of
addressing the report;
• Inform them of their responsibilities in the process;
• Thank them for their report/co-operation ;
• Follow-up with a re-assuring call within seven (7) days of
the report and every fourteen (14) days until the matter is
resolved. All follow-up calls or meetings should be
recorded on the case file.
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TELEPHONE CONTACT
When the public initiate contact with the police through
telephone calls for policing service; the following are the
procedures to be followed:
• All telephone calls are to be answered within four (4)
rings using the following example;
“May Pen Police Station, Constable Joseph White
speaking, how may I help?”
• Ascertain the nature of the call and the service required;
• Respond to the policing needs of the callers by :
Advising them
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TELEPHONE CONTACT CONT’D
Arranging for the police to visit them;
Requesting or arranging for them to visit the station;
Providing the service necessary to address the needs of the
caller;
Enquire if the caller is satisfied and what else you may do
for him/her;
Thank the caller for his/her call.
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APPROACHES IN PUBLIC SPACES
The following are procedures to be followed when the
police is approached while on duty in public spaces (e.g.
on motorized or foot patrol, static postings). In these
instances the police must:

• Acknowledge and appreciate public requests for service;

• Make notes of particulars of individuals and nature of

request;
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APPROACHES IN PUBLIC SPACES
• Not trivialize the report/request;

• Respond by offering appropriate policing service;

• Ensure that courtesy and professionalism are maintained

throughout the interaction.
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MATTERS DIRECTED BY POLICE
EMERGENCY CENTRE
When contact with the public is directed via police control,
members must:
• Note time of assignment from control;
• Obtain details of assignment (names of individuals
requesting police service, location, nature of request);
• Note time of response/arrival at assignment;
• Upon arrival do quick risk assessment and proceed to
make contact with individual/s requesting police service;
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MATTERS DIRECTED BY POLICE
EMERGENCY CENTRE
• Greet complainants/individuals politely and ask how you
may help;
• Determine whether to bring resolution at the scene or
move to station;
• Render the appropriate policing service;
• Enquire if the person who requested service is satisfied ,
and how else you may help;
• Report your findings and actions to police control;
• Follow-up with a telephone call or visit.
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EFFECTING AN ARREST
• Inform the offender of the offence;
• Caution the offender;
• If in public thoroughfare, offender should be frisked for
weapons, drugs or any other object which could harm the
officer;
• A more thorough search should be done at the station
before putting offender in cell.
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EFFECTING AN ARREST CONT’D
• Handcuffs must be used on males and violent females;
• Try not to embarrass persons in your custody by escorting
them in awkward positions;
• If a prisoner escapes while being escorted and is running away
from you, DO NOT OPEN FIRE;

POLICE OFFICERS MUST ALWAYS BEAR IN MIND THAT

OFFENCES ARE COMMITTED AGAINST THE STATE AND NOT
AGAINST THEM AS INDIVIDUALS.
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CARRYING OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC
PLACES
• All uniform personnel who are issued with a side arm for
duty must immediately carry out the necessary safety
checks, load and holster the weapon.
• NO LIVE ROUND MUST BE CARRIED IN THE BREACH.
• The use of force and human rights policy should serve
as a guide if a member has a necessity to remove the
weapon from its holster.
• On each occasion that the weapon is removed from the
holster whether it was fired or not a written report
MUST be made by the person issued with the weapon
and other persons on the team.
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CARRYING OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC
PLACES CONT’D
• Uniform personnel issued with rifles or submachine guns
must carry out the necessary safety checks and always
carry weapon in a safe position, whether walking or
travelling in motor vehicles.
• At no time should the weapon be pointed at persons
travelling behind the police vehicle, passing to the side
or just walking along the public thoroughfare.
• Personnel armed with rifles or submachine guns must
avoid unnecessarily entering places of business,
government offices, schools and places of
entertainment as the safety risk is higher for both
police and civilians.
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CARRYING OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC
PLACES CONT’D
• Detectives and other personnel from plain clothes sections,
to include off duty police personnel who are permitted to
keep and care firearms MUST ensure that their weapon is
concealed in public places.

• Extended magazines must not be inserted in pistols while

wearing plain clothes and members must take all the
necessary steps to avoid unnecessarily exposing their
weapons whether on or off duty.
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ACTIVITY
• What information should be on the daily deployment
form?
• What are the procedures to be followed in treating with
citizens who attend the police station.
• When the public initiate contact with the police through
telephone calls for policing service; what are the
procedures to be followed?
• You are on patrol duties when your team was approached
by a civilian seeking assistance. Outline the procedures to
be followed.
• What are the responsibilities of the police when contact
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GROUP DISCUSSION
How do we balance between:
1. Prevention and detection of crime;
2. Protection of life and property;
3. Maintenance of law and order;
4. Preservation of the peace; and

Respecting the rights of ALL citizens?

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THE END

QUESTIONS?????

2/15/2016 NPCJ-FRPT-CD&C 63