The outgoing Police Federation Chairman blasted the out-dated structures and the conditions under which members of the force have to work.
Sergeant Cecil McCalla said the police were using a nineteenth century infrastructure to fight twenty- first century crime.
The Police Federation Chairman urged delegates to convey to the wider membership of the force that the Federation was grateful for their work despite the challenges.
He also had a message for the government about the failure to invest in the force.
He said the investment in the force, must also be in the members which will ensure the next commissioner comes from the constabulary.
He said this is a watershed year for the Police Federation and for law enforcement in Jamaica noting new faces in key positions.
He was addressing delegates at the 75th Annual Joint Central Conferences of the Jamaica Police Federation underway at the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios St. Ann this morning.
This year’s theme is “Moving forward with resilience and transparency”.
The conference paid tribute to thirty one members of the force who died between last year May and yesterday.
And members of the mobile reserve are sombre following the passing of one of their colleague yesterday.
Police Constable Fernandez Henry died at hospital yesterday after falling ill while at a restaurant in the cross roads area of St. Andrew.
Reports are that the police constable complained of feeling ill. He later died at hospital.
The police constable is said to have been ailing for some time.
Members of the JCF mobile reserve remember Constable Fernandez Henry as a very hard working and dedicated police officer who was always dedicated to his family and his work.