Jamaica History Quiz: Law Enforcement in Jamaica

Study Notes

History of Law Enforcement in Jamaica

1716: Night watchmen were appointed to serve Port Royal, Kingston, and parishes of Saint Catherine and Saint Andrew.
1832: The first attempt to establish a permanent police force began.
1835: William Ramsay was appointed Inspector General of the police force.
1865: The Morant Bay rebellion led to the establishment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
1865: The Jamaica Constabulary Force began operations with 984 members under the direction of an Inspector General appointed by the Governor of Jamaica.

Leadership of the Jamaica Constabulary Force

2014: Deputy Commissioner Glenmore Hinds was appointed Acting Commissioner of Police.
2014: Deputy Commissioner Carl M. Williams, Ph.D. was appointed Commissioner of Police.
2016: Commissioner Carl Williams announced his retirement effective January 6, 2017.
2017: Deputy Commissioner Novelette P. Grant was appointed Acting Commissioner of Police for 90 days.
2017: Deputy Commissioner George F. Quallo was appointed Commissioner of Police.
2018: Commissioner George Quallo announced his retirement, with Major General Antony Anderson appointed as his successor.

Role of the Jamaica Constabulary Force

The force is responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime, investigating alleged crimes, protecting life and property, and enforcing criminal laws.
The JCF provides general assistance to the public and serves citizens impartially and transparently.

National Police College of Jamaica

The college is the JCF's training school, located at Twickenham Park in Spanish Town.
The institution was previously known as the Jamaica Police Academy and was relocated from Port Royal to Twickenham Park in 1982.
The Jamaica School of Agriculture previously occupied the site from 1942 to 1981.

Areas of the Jamaica Constabulary Force

Area One: Trelawny, St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover
Area Two: St. Ann, St. Mary, Portland
Area Three: Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth
Area Four: St. Andrew Central, St. Andrew South, Kingston Western, Kingston Central, Kingston Eastern
Area Five: St. Andrew North, St. Catherine South, St. Catherine North, St. Thomas

Description

Explore the origins and development of law enforcement in Jamaica from the appointment of night watchmen in 1716 to the establishment of a permanent police force in 1832. Learn about the key events such as William Ramsay's appointment as Inspector General and the Morant Bay rebellion of 1865.