The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is today (May 31) defending its decision to temporarily deny applicants a chance to enlist if they voice a reluctance to receive the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine before the commencement of training. 

The JCF, which admitted it continues with a recruitment drive to replenish its ranks, added that while it may be a potential recruit’s personal choice to refuse the vaccine for whatever reason, training officials are also granted the power to end the application process once that position is communicated.

It comes as a letter purportedly from the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ), dated May 27, informed a wary candidate his desire to serve would not progress any further as he indicated he was not interested in taking the vaccine. 

Head of the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay noted, however, that the decision is not an outright dismissal as the JCF is open to having applicants re-enlist in the future, should Jamaica’s situation change. 

Lindsay, speaking with Our Today on Monday (May 31) said the decision to take in vaccinated recruits only preserves the safety of the ‘training bubble’.

“We are recruiting softly because during the last year or so, we have had several disruptions to training [due to] the COVID outbreak [and] to prevent that as much as we can, they are making the training facility like a sterile zone,” Lindsay explained. 

“A person will not be denied the opportunity to join the force because they are not vaccinated. What will happen is they will not be trained in the current batch of [recruits] as the batches we are taking in now are vaccinated and I think that can be understood,” she added.

SSP Lindsay told Our Today that the JCF would also welcome these candidates if their position softens as they have the capacity to administer vaccines at respective training campuses. Recruits are inoculated collectively to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during the training period, the CCU head added.

“A set of persons vaccinated together—even if someone comes into contact with the virus—the possibility of everybody getting sick over the long period is significantly reduced. So, to ensure training continues undisturbed, [we] have decided to only focus, at this stage, on vaccinated persons or those who have expressed an interest and we make the necessary arrangements to have them vaccinated,” she said.

The widely circulated letter holds similar rhetoric expressed by Lindsay, as it also states that while the JCF respects the applicant’s decision, the opportunity to join is still possible if Jamaica achieves herd immunity. 

“Please note, that the option is available to you to have your application revisited should the circumstances change or once the Ministry of Health has indicated that the country has entered the herd immunity phase,” an excerpt noted.

Our Today has been informed that some 300 recruits are set to begin training at any given time at multiple ‘bubbles’ in St Andrew, St Catherine and other locations. 

See the letter in full below: 

“Good day sir, 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). As you are aware, the next stage of the selection process involves physical face-to-face training at the National Police College of Jamaica. 

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have sought medical advice which indicates participation in this phase of training is high risk for spreading of the virus. As such, in an effort to protect individual candidates, as well as candidates at large and instructors, the JCF is only able to provide this training to candidates who have been vaccinated against the virus at this time, and has made the vaccinations available to all candidates.

We are aware of your decision not to be vaccinated. We understand and respect this is a personal choice. However, given the nature of the physical face-to-face training, there is no virtual or other substitute for same. 

Accordingly, you will not be able to advance further in the selection process at this time. 

Please note, that the option is available to you to have your application revisited should the circumstances change or once the Ministry of Health has indicated that the country has entered the herd immunity phase. 

Best of wishes to you as you play your part in the fight against COVID-19.”