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Article Information:
Wildlife Preservation and Endangered Species: Decision, Discretion and Policy Implementation in the Island Special Constabulary Force, Jamaica
D.D. Brooks and P.A. Bourne
Corresponding Author: D.D. Brooks
Submitted: July 22, 2011
Accepted: November 16, 2011
Published: April 15, 2012 |
Abstract:
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There is worldwide interest to preserve wild and endangered species. Several countries have become
signatories to, or have acceded to international agreements, and have developed appropriate law enforcement
institutions. Simultaneously, and within the context of Jamaica, law enforcement emphases have instead been
occupied with ‘major crimes’. Jamaican police are expected to prioritize the solution of ‘serious crimes’ rather
than enforcing the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Island Special
Constabulary Force (ISCF) has been mandated to enforce the WPA and the ESA. The aim of this case study
was to investigate how capacity impacts implementation of the WPA and the ESA; to assess the discretion
across the different ISCF ranks impacts implementation of the WPA and the ESA; to conduct an investigation
into how the level of import/seriousness placed on WPA and the ESA impacts implementation; and to evaluate
how implementation of the WPA and the ESA stacked in relation to the enforcement of other offences.
Enforcement was influenced by; 1) ignorance by ignorance of the complexities of the law; 2) lack of sufficient
emphasis within the ISCF; 3) disconnect between ISCF strategic goals and operational realities; 4)
implementation susceptible to excessive use of discretion and 5) a strong organizational culture that defined
and placed emphasis on traditional notions of crime. The findings are far reaching and can be employed to
provide action, direction and focus for policy makers, particularly in the ISCF.
Key words: Discretion, endangered species act, island special constabulary force, Jamaica, police action (or inaction), wildlife protection act,
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Cite this Reference:
D.D. Brooks and P.A. Bourne, . Wildlife Preservation and Endangered Species: Decision, Discretion and Policy Implementation in the Island Special Constabulary Force, Jamaica. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (04): 340-363.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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