By Robert Davies,
Contributor
SUCCESSFUL POLICING throughout the world depends upon how the police serve the public, not the other way around. It is in everyone's interests to create safe and confident communities.
By 'safe communities' I mean communities with low levels of crime, fear and disorder; where serious crimes are properly investigated, controlled and marginalised; where the communities support and involve one another; and where the police response is sensitive, caring and professional.
By "confident communities", I mean communities where justice flourishes; where there is a high level of trust in the criminal justice agencies; where communities do not feel isolated and there are low levels of hate crimes and incidents against minority groups; and where the communities are actively involved in tackling the causes of crime.
I have been in Jamaica for only a few weeks, but I have been inspired by the desire articulated by so many to reduce the high incidence of violent crime and street disorderliness, which is causing so much worry and harm to so many. There is a wide acceptance that business prosperity depends significantly on people feeling safe and confident on the streets.
Two years ago the British Government, through its Department for International Development, offered to support Commissioner Francis Forbes' bold initiative to modernise the Constabulary. At long last, after much delay, that support kicks off today. It will last for a period of five years. It will not be a purposeless exercise for we are determined to help make a difference. We do not intend to be another bibliographic entry in some subsequent report.
The project, which is being co-ordinated through the global firm of consultants, KPMG, will address some of the key issues facing the Constabulary and identified, coincidentally, by the Police Executive Research Forum's report published last week. We the Jamaica Constabulary Reform and Modernisation Project, will be helping the force in many ways, including the development of its structure, culture, style of policing, intelligence systems, investigative skills, management information systems and forensic capabilities. We will be highly mutually accountable.
Four times a year the Minister of National Security and Justice, the Hon. K.D. Knight, Commissioner Francis Forbes, the Senior Partner for KPMG, Martin Wilson, and I will meet to discuss the project's progress. The emphasis will be on deeds not words. Each member has signed up personally to play their full part. The Constabulary and public can expect to see changes.
The good news for Jamaicans is that much change is already happening. We will be building on recent successes. The understanding of the advantages of 'community policing' is growing. It lies at the heart of Francis Forbes' vision. It is supported by the Constabulary. Superintendent Dormah Harrison articulated this clearly in this paper on January 27 and further evidence can be seen in the award of 'Top Cop' to Deputy Superintendent Steve McGregor for his work in connection with community policing. It is underpinned by the recent launches of the Code of Conduct for Police-Citizen Relations and the Police Charter.
Consultative meetings
Senior officers are beginning also to recognise the value and importance of saying sorry when they make mistakes. Detective Inspector Cornwall 'Bigger' Ford displayed this humility with remarkable effect on a recent 'Perkins Online' show. Police operations are more focused. In the words of Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, head of the Crime Management Unit, they are no longer 'net fishing, but spear fishing'.
The Police Post in New Kingston is a significant example of the understanding of visionaries in the business community exemplified by the Facey family, of the value of working in partnership with the police. The interest starting to be shown by communities in the open consultative meetings bears further testimony that communities, too, are looking for ways to become involved.
There is much to be done. The PERF report calls for national action. Public commentators, and report after report cry out for an improved and fairer criminal justice system. Different aid programmes, often operating in isolation, seek better co-ordination.
We can together make a difference. Many years ago, when I went to watch Cassius Clay at his weigh-in before he boxed Henry Cooper, the British heavyweight supremo famed for his left hook, he was asked by one of the spectators whether he knew the length of the shortest poem in the world. The spectator provided the answer in the same breath: "three".
Clay replied with his incisiveness and passion: "No, its now two: "We, me." He was emphasising the importance of communities standing together and, yet, the value of individuality. I was reminded of this watching and listening downtown to the Area Youth Foundation, inspiringly led by Sheila Graham. I am also reminded of it daily by the sight of the large quotation of Muhammed Ali which bestrides Trafalgar Road: "To be a champion you must believe you are the best. If you're not, pretend that you are."
These are huge messages for all of us. We need to start by being more optimistic. We need to praise achievement more frequently. We need to encourage our leaders, but hold them to account. We all need to support the police. We need to get engaged. So many of the answers to creating safe and confident communities lie in our individual hands. If we care enough, if it really hurts to see others suffer, if we want to grow, we can make a difference.
Of course many changes require resourcing. We cannot escape the impact of the dollar. This has to be faced by the Ministry and by business. Government has never been able to provide all the resourcing needed. The Private Sector Organisation for Jamaica must continue to be engaged. Others must join them. Business, in return, is entitled to receive well-costed business plans and to expect value for its investment.
But it must avoid the temptation of saying that the establishment of safe and confident communities is solely the responsibility of Government. It is not. It is the responsibility of all of us.
I hope, therefore, that our project will receive the support, encouragement and engagement of all Jamaicans. Morris Cargill wrote in June 1955: "Progress is no doubt possible but it does not come, I think, from political forms or changes, or from technology. It comes if it comes at all only from the heart".
What a challenge! For my part, I promise to serve with all my heart, diligence and effort.
Robert Davies is Project Manager of the Jamaica Constabulary Reform and Modernisation Project. E-mail: rdmd@mail.infochan.com.
