RCIPS big draw for demoralized ex Jamaican cops

| 22/10/2012

(CNS): The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) has recruited some 36 officers from Jamaica in its latest recruitment drive – more than two thirds of this year's vacancies. According to a report in the Jamaica Observer at the weekend, a senior police officer in the RCIPS said that Barbados and Jamaica were the countries where it had the biggest draw when it engaged in an open recruitment process. The RCIPS’ recruitment officer told the Jamaican paper that officers from that country adapt well to the “British model of policing” here. The report revealed that the Jamaican officers are attracted to Cayman not just for pay and conditions but because of better promotion prospects.

Human resource officer at the RCIPS, Camille Solomon, told the Jamaica Observer that in this year’s recruitment drive to fill 50 positions, 36 were taken by former members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. "We have not had any significant areas of concerns andthe vast majority of officers from the JCF have adapted well to the British model ofpolicing that we follow as an Overseas Territory police service," he said.

RCIPS Chief Inspector Robert Scotland added that applications from Jamaicans featured prominently.

"We do open recruitment from time to time, from the Caribbean, the US, Canada and the UK, but mostly from the Caribbean and the UK because of the similarity in structure of the police force," he said. "In the Caribbean, Jamaica and Barbados tend to be our biggest draws."

The Observer said that 106 officers resigned from the JCF last year and officers have complained about demoralization and of unpleasant working conditions. This included 12- to 18-hour work days, service vehicles that were without windows, stations that were in varying states of disrepair — including leaking roofs, were easily flooded, and some that were not equipped with sanitary conveniences — poor treatment by senior officers, and limited scope for professional advancement.

As a result of better conditions in Cayman and greater promotion possibilities about 30 members, from constable to sergeant, have gone to Cayman in the last three months, a senior Kingston policeman said. “I know of 10 in my immediate surroundings," he told the local newspaper. An officer from Mandeville added, "About nine of them from Mandeville have gone to Cayman and Bermuda in the past few months, and more are going."

With overlapping eight-hour flexible shifts, a basic annual starting salary for a police constable as KYD$32,280, an additional housing allowance of CI$7,800 and even a laundry allowance, the pay is also a lot better.

See Jamaica Observer article here

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I am really disheartened by the negative comments surrounding the hiring of additional police officers from Jamaica. It is not fair to the honest, hard working Jamaican officers who do their jobs by the book and do not get involved in the corruption etc that is so often referred to. Every country has its share of problems, so to say all cops from Barbados are decent is foolishness and to blanket Jamaican cops as illiterate etc is unfair, in as much as the blanketing of Caymanians as lazy.    

    The treatment of Caymanian officers has nothing to do with the hiring of additional officers from the Caribbean region, its comes from the top of the organisation and Caymanians must unite and stand together instead of resigning from their positions in the force when they come under unwarranted pressure from the powers that be.

    • R.Ackermon - A Proud Caymanian says:

      Never heard of a Barbadian cop pulling his gun and shooting a female directly in the head and then shooting her sister and then had to be stopped from reloading his gun to shoot another member of the group!

  2. Anonymous says:

    if only we could speak openly and honestly about the problems within the rcips…….

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians have no one to blame for anything that is happening in this country you are the people who sat back and allowed it to happen. You sat back and allowed mass immigration, the watering down of the Caymanian Protection Board and eventually its demise. Our entire laws were changed to accommodate others. We have not seen anything yet wait until the human rights law that our esteemed political leader gave us kicks in. Only then we will be crying for natural rights and justice. Cayman had better pray for devine intervention because this ship is about to hit an iceburg and there are not enough life vests so we are not prepared.

  3. Anonymous says:

    demoralised jamaican cops to the rescue?????

    welcome to wonderland………………….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  4. Thankful Again says:

    An absolute mess.  The strategy is: dismissive, ignorant, questionable and void of any clear logic – other than feet on the ground.

    Let's deal with the white elephant: The RCIPS may claim to be not racist, choosy or even dismiss any or all of our local conspiracy theorist as hogwash.  What they cannot do, just as easily is to: deny the thoughts as expressed by serving members of the JPC in the article; deny the established, documented stats on levels of corruption in the JCP, their propensity for dishing violence (reflective of the cultural norms), nor and here is the pudding: claim them smarter or more intelligent to hiring locals. 

    I reject the notion of having a force reflective of the local populace mix.  That is hogwash.  As my response would be: where are the Caymanians?  Further, that is disguised spin for pensive progressive plans  that would be expected from a force that had Caymanians and Cayman's vision forself at heart.  In stead it is ruthless.  It also reflects Comm. Baines insight and thought-process.  Is his vantage point informed or skewed? I will let you judge.  All I know is: it's very telling.   

    I expect more from Caymanian leaders in the force like: R. Scotland & M. Bodden…as far as pushing the envelope for lasting wholistic change startegies that takes Cayman forward – guys I am not sure if recruiting from the JCP reflects this.

    I won't even touch our (lack of) political leaders and their (voiceless) lack of cocern or interest.  That is too political and we got it: WE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORCE (CA-CA) rhetoric.

    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians when will you all learn?!!! Cayman is property of the UK!!! just like the rest of the Empire's holdings around the world. However, a lot of them have had the guts to move on and deal with the realities of being on their own!!! Good or Bad!!!

      But no, no, not Cayman, you all want the security of being under mom's frock, but gets upset when she farts in your face!!!

      Grow up!! either become a mature society like so many others have (for goos or bad) or shut up and put up with what ever the UK throws, spits, farts, or ram down your throats.

      If there is one thing I have learnt since coming to these shore some 38 years ago; Some Caymanians would rather see people from around the world prosper before they see a fellow Caymanian get ahead!!!! AND THATS THE TRUTH!

      And that is why they will rather remain the loyal subjects to a country who's history of colonial rule has been anything but good. Instead of dealing with your own sh%t, and making your own decisions, you will rather be sh%t on by someone else, and then complain. So, I am afraid to say Jamaican cops, and much more is only the start of it!

      • Anonymous says:

        We will remain British, with all her colonial past we are still better off than every single country that has gained independence.  So here is my question to you why did you stay here for 38 years under her skirt? Here this one is for you and all those that want us to go independence so that we can become third world. "Long to reign over us" God save our gracious Queen.

        God save our gracious Queen
        Long live our noble Queen
        God save the Queen
        Send her victorious
        Happy and glorious
        Long to reign over us
        God save the Queen

         

         
        • Anonymous says:

          You are a perfect example of what the writter is talking about. Colonial brainwash that haven't got the brain to realize, or perhaps just simple minded, that the cliff that Cayman is being pushed over is a bottomless pit. But yet you would rather stay under the rule of one of the worst history makers, in the world of colonial rule (only country I can think of that was worst would be Belgium)

          I, as a Caymanian agree with him/her, often the truth hurts, and Caymanians have the tendancy to lash out, attack and digrade the truth to suit their likings.

           

          • Anonymous says:

            The only people who are pushing Cayman off a cliff are Caymanians, pure and simple. 

            However, I do agree with your last paragraph. Lashing out at the UK is only a symptom of your own insecurity and education, or lack thereof. Instead of being brain washed by the nationalists, (who hold their own agendas) read a history book and study the subject before attacking and degrading a proud nation who has given the world so much.

            • Anonymous says:

              LMMFAO!!! Given the world so much indeed!!!

              Left many a native people and their homelands in shambles. Youve got to be kidding me!!!

              When I first saw the posting from whomever, I was tempted to interject, but I decided to keep out of it. The FACT is, the history of conquest and colonial rule is far reachind and can be blamed on more than one European country.

              The UK held a great portion of the African Continent, along with other powers in Europe; be it France, Belgium or Spain.

              While some may wish to re-write history, the facts are accepted, and easy to obtain for anyone who wants to see them, and educated themselves. While the UK's style of colonial rule was different, in the way they governed these overseas territories, make no mistake about it….it was for the benifit of England.

              Natural resources were taken up like a vacum cleaner to dirt. The local populations were enslaved to provide the free manual labor. With payment being no more than death itself, as it was a welcoming end to the brutality they faced.

              So please, this idea you have about England giving the world so much, other than aternoon tea, is a bunch of manure. Sure, if you were part of or decendants of the elite that benifited from the colonial area, I'm sure you can say that. But to the hundreds of millions who were enslaved, displaced or wiped off the map…their opinion would be much different.

              And, if England was offering so much, why did the overwhelming majority of these countries fight to break the chains of colonial rule?!!!

                

      • Anonymous says:

        As a resident of only slightly less years (33) and married to a Caymanian (relax, we met in my country and I wasn't bothered about living here but we had to live somewhere) I agree with the main sentiment of your commentary. Caymanians for too long have moaned and groaned about  (incorrectly) "expats" while failing to support each other in a consistent and meaningful way. "Where there's a will there's a way" and I'm sorry, but there has been no particular will that I've been aware of towards building a structured society that puts the best interests of fellow Caymanians first and foremost, as should have occurred but tragically hasn't.

        Allow me to relate an experience I had that served to introduce me to the little song and dance that has been going on here for donkey's years. I hadn't been here five minutes when my wife's uncle griped to me about there being so many foreigners here on work permits. (Maybe he thought I was in some way responsible for this situation, I dunno!) Not wishing to hurt his feelings, I merely pointed out that as far as I was aware on every work permit document he'd surely find a Caymanian signature. He didn't complain to me after that, as I recall.

        Caymanians, take responsibility for present-day Cayman, organise yourselves and quit fighting each other. Support each other like other nation's people do (and my friend the writer, I've always maintained that if you write anything after a few in the evening, it's best to review it with a sober head in the cold, gray light of the morning, if only for the sake of good grammar and spelling!).

        Hope I haven't offended anyone.

      • Anonymous says:

        Hey, loud mouth, your obviously some disillusioned dumb ass who found his way down to Cayman, but couldn't read history or understand a map. Why did you come here, Cayman has been British since long before most other countries learnt how to use knife and forks? In some cases, like our neigbours to the north, they still can't despite sending a man to the moon.

        If you don't like the fact that Cayman is a loyal BOT, then kindly leave and take your tea party, revolutionary crap with you.

        Why would a country that has seen unprecedented wealth and security in the last 50 years, opt for the uncertainty of independence. How long do you think Cayman would last without that continuity, she produces nothing leaving only her financial services sector and tourism? If there's one thing banks hate its unpredictability, uncertainty and political upheaval.

        Cayman had its chance in 63 along with Jamaica, she chose to stay with the UK. If she hadn't, this little satellite of Kingston would have trodden the same misguided path to ruin.

  5. Crime's Hidden Agenda says:

    It is what is, a program and an agreement between the UK & and Jamaica which saw UK Police officers posted in Jamaica & Cayman to senior positions to help curb "corruption" and comply with Human Rights rules and part of this little "program " involves displacement of these so called "demoralized" officers to be displaced and absorbed or hired to UK Territories to their detriment or to deal with those dynamics or what ever baggage or issues they come with. Of course they tell us we getting their very best. The really terrible and horrible aspect of this program is the UK is well aware of the CRIME Dynamic and connections that exist here between Cayman and Jamaica and selling it to our ignorant gov't officials and politicians that they are infact here to actually help or mitigate this very dangerous crime situation that exist is very omnious and sinister and wreaks of conspiracy. The question of why hire them keeps coming up yet the UK are unable to provide a satisfactory answer . The irony of this situation Jamaica did away with colonialism 50 years ago why now help your Colonial master now continue imposing it or export on others. Cayman's Economic miracle obviously has made us a target for foes and so called friends now too. Too many hidden agendas at play now Cayman???? too many…..

  6. Ex-Police says:

    I don’t who sold the idea of promotion to them. The english are promoted on the flight over but don’t know a thing in policing. These fellows from the caribbean are being used as a tool for the english. As soon as the next commish is appointed and I say appointed, he will bring his guys as well. The Jamaicans, the Caymanians, the officers from the Eastern Caribbean will stay in the sun and be burnt like raisins and will not get a fair shot at promotion. Like this present commish said: the locals are illiterate. So where is the corruption when a English constable is being paid equvalent to a local sgt. Give me a break

  7. Anonymous says:

    Let's face it! Maybe the reason why they are hiring other nationalities in the police force, is because most caymanians are related. Either cousins, aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters, etc..and believe me, there are biases whether you want to believe it or not. I have seen and heard this happen far too many times. So I will say that the police force is one of the areas in government that I will support the majority being none caymanians. Yes, I am a caymanian and that's my opinion!

    • You Need to Face it says:

      You obviously have not see or understand the dynamics of these Foreign nationals in the Police service when it comes dealing with their own ? The trouble with ignorance is as it goes along it picks up confidence. Either that or you are just blind or both.

    • Anonymous says:

      If that's your logical understanding to accept this follishness, why don't you consider the fact that there are more Jamaicans on work permits; more Jamaicans with status and more Jamaicans that have bred children withh Caymanians……so based on your thinking, we should have LESS officers from Ja and MORE from UK since we have less British (and not talking about Jacan-British) people here period! Then we can consider there may be less bias in terms of people knowing citizens. SO keep pushing that argument and call for all British officers and you still wont touch the relatively insignificant number of British nationals here.

       

      Also, if these officers are claiming to know there are more favourable treatment of Jacan officers how can people comment about English cops getting promoted, when in Ja they're also promoting much faster for 'degree' officers, suppose our Government goes that route and hire from UK would that keep you guys happy?

      It is time the positive discrimination (preference for hiring Jacans in civil service and legal) stop and people think about the long term impact. Do you think any of those new 30 officers are going to leave? anotehr hurricane will never stop Jacans from coming here. At least we know historically on average the English do not just sit there in the post forever preventing Caymanians from ever getting in the door.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      08:52 So are the Jamaicans, but we just do not know it yet.

  8. Annie get your gun says:

     Yes, we keep hiring a bunch of Lazy, Useless Good-for-nothing Cops who take more than 3 months to investigate a theft and (still haven't) recovered the goods even though they have been supplied ALL of the details INCLUDING the location of said property by the rightful owner / victim.

     Or perhaps of the Businessman who first reported the theft of tyres from his equipment more than 4 weeks ago … THEY STILL HAVE NOT ATTENDED THE SCENE OFTHE CRIME.

     Then when one dares to express ones dis-satisfaction with thier attitude, we are told,

    "I wish you would report me, so at least my Seargent will know that I'm out in the field  working".  

     The inability to follow protocol and proceedure that has resulted in so many known criminals walking free because of the botched  handling of evidence and investigations.

     We NEED to clean-up the Police Force, starting with Mr. Baines!

     

  9. Anonymous says:

    'Demoralized' Jamaican police officers ???

    Or criminal police officers from Jamaica who are running from the clean-up of the Jamaica Constabulary Force that has been taking place since the fall of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and his Shower Posse ?

    The JCF is well known to have the most corrupt, violent and murdering police officers in the entire English-speaking world in its ranks…

    And it seems to be a political decision and strategy to be constantly recruiting police officers for the RCIPS from Jamaica.

    Is there some hidden agenda at work here ?

  10. Anonymous says:

    I was told recently that the RCIP has 5 Caymanian officers.

  11. Unka Dumplin says:

    This is in preparation for ELECTION 2013 at which time the UDP will be  evicted, after which we'll  have a crime wave of unbelievable proportions, and more unsolved cases than that show on T.V.After which they'll  "BLAME IT ALL ON THE NEXT GOVERNMENT". 

    TI NK  KEEVIE NAH SMAAAT !!!!

  12. Anonymous says:

    Sorry FJP was trying to put a positive spin on it

    Free Woderwick 🙂

  13. Pagan Of Truth says:

    Next to Haiti which doesn't have a functiioning government Jamaica is right up there on the corruption scale in the Caribbean. Question is why recruit from there then We all read the stories this article points out a very valid point and question, with the recent strides it has made against corruption and brutality in the JCF could that be infact the reason why some of these very same officers are becoming frustrate and demoralized "no longer business as usual" getting out before you get put out or put in jail. That doesn't bode well or say much for the overseas territories taking them in. but for the blissful loyal subjects the UK always know best????

  14. Raffael says:

    This is a national disgrace if you ask me.Why is this allowed to happen locals including residents are being systematically remove to be replace either by Brits or Jamaicans and both aren't obviously here because they care about theses islands. There here for the money$$$$ this might also explain the high level of unfairness and incompetence that has been plaguing and reigning over the RCIPS for sometime. What ashame there is absolutely no one to stand up to this recolonisation program being perpetrate by the UK who care for this place as much as or globe trotting politicians. Ask yourself this question why would you prevent or solve crime if it pays so well and it would appear from our statistics someone is clearliy making a killing Kudos to the UK and her Colonial partner Jamaica . Goodtimes are rolling in these austere times for some who says crime doesn't pay in the Cayman islands it pays quite well for the Police and criminal alike.

    • Anonymous says:

      Idiot, 'Re-Colonisation', these islands are already a British Overseas Territory. The reason why you have so many cops from Jamaica and NOT from the UK/US and Canada, as you once had, is because of the disgusting manner in which local cops treated their fellow officers, (and in some cases still do).

      With long tours of duty in the cell block to answering those calls which Caymanian officers were either too cowardly to attend, failed to answer and respond to or where persons involved were known to them, overseas officers became disillusioned and left. If you also include the bitchy clicks, the total ineptness of some local officers and their unprofessional attitude towards law enforcement, you have a mix that would try the fortitude of most reasonable people. Take for example the response by local cops to Hurricane Ivan, they were a national disgrace when they consistantly failed to report for duty and defend their own people from looters and criminal gangs. Who stood his ground and did his duty, even when the odds were stacked against him? Derek Haines, A BRITISH COP !!!  

      Personally, I think recruiting en masse from Jamaica is a bad idea, especially as violence and corruption is so much a part of their culture. However, they are not all bad apples and any potential officer should be recruited on his professional abilities and not excluded for the sins of his compatriots. I just wish they'd sit up straight in their cars, stop using the phone whilst driving and interact with the community they serve.

      Instead of criticising the overseas cops, consider sending your own local recruits and established staff to the UK for appropriate and professional training in the some of the worlds finest law enforcement training facilities. Then they may, if they are not given preferential treatment, actually come away as true law enforcement professionals and serve their communities and country with pride and integrity.

      That way you wouldn't need to recruit the wicked colonialist's who are only here for the money. 

      • Anonymous says:

        "Idiot"? Please, let us keep a certain sense of decorum in our little back and forths as we strive to maintain a civil society. And my thanks you to all of you who do.

  15. The Thinker says:

    Can we have a breakdown of nationalities in the police force?  What percentage are Caymanian?

    • Anonymous says:

      And how does government have the nerve to preach hire caymanian when they themselves hire only expats

    • Anonymous says:

      That will just tell you the percentage of quality/nationality.  You don't really want to know.

  16. Anonymous says:

    THEY GET A HOUSING ALLOWANCE?????? Just foreigners or Caymanians/status holders too? Why dont they just say that the pay is $40,080. Because jsut like everyone else, we all pay our rent/mortgage from our salary. Would LOVE to know what their laundry allowance is as well.

  17. Anonymous says:

    As a career criminal, I am pleased to note the influx of police from JCF, they are much more corruptable and less likely to solve crimes from other recruitement sources, so for me, that means business as usual…

    • Rorschach says:

      I, and many others know your post was meant in jest, however, you , my friend are absolutely correct…

  18. Natalie says:

    All i hear is constant complaints about how Caymanians don't have any jobs… Please tell me why then are we hiring Jamiacans for the RCIP and not recruiting and training young Caymanians to fill these spots?

    • Conformity says:

      Natalie my dear that doesn't fit in with the plans they have for this little place They intend to push every local out of the RCIPS so they can control everything. you know MOM always knows what is best for us even though our budget deficit increases everyday to our own demise and our blind leaders and well to do citizenry bankroll this colonisation program to keep Mother happy and off their crooked backs. All good so long as they can eat and be merry.

    • Anonymous says:

      Because they actually have to show up to get a job and they are required to actually do some work.  If you don't like the answer don't ask the question.

    • Anonymous says:

      Quite right, recruit Caymanians. But not just because thay are Caymanian, recruit them because they show a degree of intelligence, common sense, impartiality, integrity, honesty and a professional work ethic. Retain them if they can demonstrate their ability to protect and serve ALL residents without fear or favour and promote them on merit, not nationality.

      But first, send them to the UK for professional training and real world experience, not to the little local huts that are laughingly called an academy.

      To all the empty headed nationalist, anti everything not Caymanian league, if young Caymanians actually wanted to serve their country at its people, then they would have done so long ago.

      But hey, why would they, when they can get far more money sitting on their butts pretending to be Civil Servants, bankers or 'businessmen'. In fact, contrary to some of the ignorant posts below, a bar tender can get more pay than an overseas recruited cop. And Caymanians don't want to do that either. Go figure.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Why do we keep doing the same thing over and over and expect differnent results. The main problem with the RCIPS is too many Jamaican officers yet here we go again recruting from there. Why not 36 from Barbados? At least they are educated, have manners and respect and putting on a uniform does not go to their head.

  20. Anonymous says:

    no wonder we broke

  21. Anonymous says:

    Oh dear,  In my experience (having worked in the RCIPS a number of years) you will get 80%  totally illiterate and incompetant and 20% good, reliable and capable.

    Barbados is a different matter, never met a bad cop from there 🙂

    • Front of the Judean People says:

      Sorry bro, have to disagree with your breakdown..more like 95% totally illiterate and incompetant and 5% just not bad…