Location: Newport East, Kingston 15
Contact: 876-922-3176
The Marine Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) extends law enforcement’s arm across Jamaica’s maritime territories.
With a responsibility to ensure public safety in these marine environments, it actively prevents and detects crimes and enforces and upholds naval laws at shipping ports, along the island’s coastline, and within our territorial waters.
This highly specialised division that is manned by skilled and trained professionals has served Jamaica for over 226 years, having been established in 1798 as the “Water Police” under the Irish Constabulary Force. When the JCF was formed in 1867, the Water Police became a branch of the Force, initially using small rowboats. It was upgraded to a division in 1912, and in 1929, its headquarters was built at #1 West Street, Kingston.
The first engine-powered boat, “Hooligan,” was acquired in 1944, and in 1970, the headquarters was relocated to Newport Kingston 15, where it remains today. The unit was officially rebranded as the Marine Police Division in 1974.
Core Functions:
- Patrolling and monitoring Jamaica’s coastline and territorial waters
- Enforcing counter-narcotics and firearms legislation
- Conducting search and rescue operations
- Protecting the marine environment and wildlife
- Enforcing fisheries regulations
- Apprehending stowaways
- Supporting investigations with other agencies
- Regulating tourism and water sports activities
Operations of the Marine Division include policing the Pedro Cays, repatriating Haitian and Cuban nationals (2024), and monitoring ports for cruise ship activities. The Marine Division has also successfully seized numerous go-fast boats involved in the illicit drug trade, disrupting criminal networks and reducing illegal trafficking.
Additionally, increased prosecutions of individuals engaged in the unlawful harvesting and sale of conch and lobster have helped protect Jamaica’s marine resources and support sustainable fishing practices.