How to get a police record in Jamaica

APOLICE record is an essential piece of document that is used to verify whether or not a person has ever been legally accused of, or convicted for, a crime. Employers and organisations usually request a police record in order to get background information on applicants and prospective employees.

In Jamaica, the Technical Services Division (Criminal Records Office) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) oversees the issuing of police records. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for and collect a police record.

For persons living in Jamaica: Step 1: Go to the Inland Revenue Department Offices (Tax Office) and tell them you want to apply for a police record. You will be given a form to fill out, after which you will be required to pay a fee. The fees vary depending on how quickly you want to receive the police record: $3,000 for regular service – 21 working days; and $6,000 for express service for within five working days. You can also pay $8,000 for next-day service, but this service is only available at the main office located at 34 Duke Street. The receipt must be in the name of the applicant.

Step 2: After you have paid for the receipt, it must be taken, along with the following documents, to the Technical Services Division, 34 Duke Street, Kingston:

I Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) I Two passport-sized photographs (should not be certified or embossed)

I One of the following three pieces of valid identification: i) passport ii) national identification card iii) driver’s licence

Please note: If the police record is for overseas/travelling purposes, a valid passport must be presented.

Applications may also be made at the Summit Police Station (St James), May Pen Police Station (Clarendon), and Area 2 Police Headquarters, Pompano Bay (St Mary) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

Step 3: You will be given a date by which to collect your record. Please ensure that you adhere to the given date. A letter of authorization must be provided if the police record is to be collected by someone other than the applicant. The bearer must have identification.

For more information on how to find essential services in Jamaica, please see digjamaica.com/how_to. diGJamaica is The Gleaner Company’s research and data website, built specifically to address a need to make data about Jamaica more accessible, relateable, easy to use and easy to understand.