Minister of National Security Dr Peter Phillips, signed the $8.3 million contract for the purchase of the computers and accessories comprising scanners fax machines and printers, on Wednesday, at the Ministry's Oxford Road offices in Kingston.

"We intend to computerise every police station and develop an intranet network," Phillips said.

The procurement of the equipment was a prelude, he said, to the introduction of a US$3 million Management Information System for the JCF.

"We want to introduce the technology to continue to upgrade and modernise our systems," Phillips noted, adding that the system, sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank, should be in place by May.

Howard Chin, manager of the information technology division at BML, said his company was pleased to be able to assist the JCF in modernising its systems.

"We hope that this will be a success," he said.  Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Bent said the equipment would get good care.

"A majority of the stations are safe and most recently we spent some $100 million to repair police stations across the island," Bent said.

She also noted that every police station had personnel who were computer literate.

"Since 1995, we have been training our officers in information technology at the (Police) Academy and in addition, every station is equipped with personnel who are competent in computer use," said the DCP.

The JCF will begin to receive the computers this week and distribution will continue within the following six weeks.  The ministry chose BML from a group of six bidders.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050403T190000-0500_78030_OBS_POLICE_TO_GET_____NEW_COMPUTERS.asp