The Mobile Reserve Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary force, is to be disbanded. This was disclosed by National Security Minister, Dr Horace Chang in a statement, this morning.
The statement adds that the Commanding officer for Mobile Reserve Senior Superintendent Terrence Bent is being sent on leave to facilitate investigations into the police unit.
Meanwhile Assistant Commissioner of Police Warren Clarke is to oversee the winding up of Mobile Reserve, and develop the framework for a new vetted specialized operations organization , properly trained and equipped to respond to current and future threats.
The developments relating to Mobile Reserve come as the unit has been under the spotlight since an incident on Sunday where three of its members were involved in a shooting incident in Spanish Town ST Catherine.
One of the officers Corporal Rohan Williams died , another is in police Custody and Indecom says the third Corporal Kirk Frazer escaped.
Two other people died in the incident , they are Sheldon Daley, and Kevron Burrell.
The Independent Commission of Investigations, Indecom is probing the dramatic series of events which began with the shooting of Daley at Chedwin Park , then a high speed chase and the exchange of gunfire and ended in a traffic accident at the junction of Brunswick Avenue and Job Lane.
Indecom says at the crash scene, it was discovered that both Corporal Williams and Burrell had suffered gunshot wounds
Indecom says parallel probes are underway and that the investigation is complex .
Meanwhile , the National Security Ministry has announced the beginning of a major reformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force .
It adds that the reforms will result in changes in several areas of the Force.
In a statement this morning , Dr Chang says, Police Commissioner Major General, Antony Anderson, has advised the government, that in short order, major changes will come in both the management and oversight of the police force, as well as, changes of entities within the force.
The National Security Minister states that the Commissioner has also updated the government on the strategic plan for the force.
The statement adds that the government has given the commitment of budgetary and legislative support . The ministry says, these plans will be executed this year.
Commissioner Anderson will join Dr Chang next week at a press conference, to provide further details to the nation, on the actions to come.
Dr Chang says the government is of the view, that crime is the greatest threat to the development of society.
He adds , that everyone wants to see a Force strategically purposed, to deal with the current challenges effectively, in order to achieve national objectives.
Dr Chang is asking members of the public to support the process of change and reform .
The government is also urging members of the JCF to embrace this evolution and transformation as it will redound to their benefit, that of their family and the nation.