Though the process of becoming a part of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is fairly simple, it seems there are some people who prefer to pretend.

Just a month after two men were arrested and charged with impersonating an officer, arising from an incident that occurred at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre, another has been charged with a similar offence. He has been identified as Omar Maitland, a 23-year-old security guard of a Lightbourne Road, Kingston 5, address.

He was arrested on January 2 at a popular hotel in Kingston. Reports are that at 10:25 p.m., the police received a call that a man was being disruptive and behaving in a boisterous manner on the premises. He was reportedly spoken to by security guards at the hotel, but told them that he was a policeman.

When the police arrived and accosted him, he reportedly also identified himself as a member of the JCF. He was, however, unable to provide a valid ID. He was searched and an imitation firearm found on his person. He was charged with illegal possession of a firearm. He is to appear in court soon.

Simple larceny

On Tuesday, two men who were earlier charged with impersonating an officer appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. One of the accused, Jermaine Vassell, an 18-year-old of a Seven West, Greater Portmore address, has also been charged with simple larceny, after being accused of stealing a police vest belonging to a detective corporal stationed at the Greater Portmore Police Station. Vassell was found with the vest at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre on December 12 last year.

Reports are that the policeman locked his vest in a drawer at the station, but it went missing about five weeks before being found in Vassell's possession.

He and his co-accused, Akeem Rohan Davis, are to return to court on January 19.

In the meantime, the Half-Way Tree police are advising persons who pretend to be members of the JCF to desist, as they will be punished accordingly. The police are also advising that those who want to join the force should visit the JCF Recruiting Centre at 12 Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston, where they will be further advised.