Deterrent and Motivating Considerations for Entry into the Jamaica Constabulary Force

Over the years, motivation for entry into policing has declined due to internal (methods of recruitment) as well as external factors (public perceptions of police). Motivations for selecting policing as a career in Jamaica include being viewed positively, job stability, personal connections to police officers, providing citizen security and the ability to enforce laws, personal development and self‑improvement, and being an exemplar to others. Deterrents for entry into the police profession in Jamaica include negative perceptions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the lengthy recruitment process, and perceptions of police corruption in Jamaica. Motivating factors that influence decisions to enter the JCF can be used as building blocks to attract new recruits, while the deterrent factors can be used to improve the recruitment process and rebrand the image of the JCF so as to make it more attractive to potential police recruits.