The Road Travelled By the Protective Services Division in the Jamaica Constabulary Force:Politics, Culture, Socialization and Division

Despite the importance of VIP services in the protection of human life owing to the likelihood of threat of physical harm, the role of outside influences on operations of this Division, the increasing crime problem and fear which emanated from the murder counts, a study had never been conducted on the past, present, challenges, modernization, stigmatization, victimization and the way forward for the division. The main objective of this paper is an examination of Protective Services Division (PSD) within best practices, guideline and the way forward. This study employed mixed qualitative methods: document analysis, ethnography, life history, narrative and thematic identification. There is clear evidence that in the past politics have influenced the appointment, functional and employees of PSD. PSD has seen significant modernization, especially since October 2011. The Division now has a general blueprint that provides operational directives and code of conduct for agents. Despite the modernization and transformation of the Division moreso since October 2011, there are inadequacies in equipment and machinery and the non-standardization of equipment. The evolution and revolution of PSD cannot cease with the current modernization and transformation as those are a part of the way forward and not an end. There is still more work to be done before PSD can be compared international agencies of its type. The process has afforded a Division that is now eyed by other police officers and this desire is outside of political favouritism, promotional opportunities and the power structure.