Trevor MacMillan By Trevor MacMillan,
In a letter to the Editor
UP TO now I have followed the tradition of not commenting on the Police Force publicly because as you know I had the great honour of being the Commissioner for three years. As a consequence any relevant comment in the form of a criticism or compliment which I thought appropriate I could give directly to the present Commissioner. I have done so on many occasions.
However, I feel compelled to respond to the lead article on The Gleaner's editorial page of February 9, 2001 written by a Mr. Robert Davies whom I warmly welcome to Jamaica and wish him every success.
Let me state quite clearly and unequivocally that any action that will improve the performance of our Police Force so as to lead to a reduction in crime and violence in Jamaica has my total support. Anything that I can do to assist in leading to a safer Jamaica I consider it my duty to so do.
Mr. Davies has identified in his article, the areas of activity on which the Reform and Modernisation Project will be concentrating. They are very admirable. However, I have some concerns.
Firstly, the word 'corruption' is not mentioned as far as I could discern. I therefore presumed one of two things. Either, that the proposed changes to the systems will limit corrupt activities, or that some other external agency will have such responsibility. That should be clarified as the integrity of the Force and public perception are vital in winning the co-operation of communities.
I strongly suggest that any action by the Reform and Modernisation team should certainly embrace as one of its high priority areas an intense focus on the corruption problem.
Secondly, in Mr. Davies' penultimate paragraph he quite rightly recognises the need for resources particularly financial resources. However, he implies that such funding cannot be the responsibility of Government alone but that members of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) must accept certain responsibilities. The Force has been the beneficiary of much assistance from private organisations over the years and long may that continue. However, I respectfully beg to suggest that the responsibility of Central Government to finance the capital and recurrent expenditure for the Force must not be diminished by the participation of private entities.
The lack of appropriate budget support over the years is one of the main reasons for the pathetic working conditions that the brave men and women in "OUR" Force experience on a daily basis.
Thirdly, Mr. Davies states and I quote, "We will be highly mutually accountable". While I am willing to concede that no single unit or person can do it alone, my question is, does this include the Hon. Minister of National Security and Justice and the Commissioner? If so, what are the consequences if his mission is not achieved. Who is to be held responsible and what is the penalty, if any? The answer to those questions will tell if anyone is really accountable.
Fourthly, Mr. Davies should be guided with respect to the comments that Police Officers are now learning to say sorry. There have been many Police Officers over the years that recognised when they were wrong and took the appropriate actions to remedy the situation. It is therefore not new but what might be new and vital to the Force is for such conduct to move from a 'trickle' to a 'flood'. Time will tell.
Mr. Davies also mentions the Police Post in New Kingston and the tremendous assistance given by the Facey's family. It would be perhaps worthwhile to mention other families and more importantly the hundreds of 'small' business men and women who have contributed significantly over the years. Long may it so continue.
Fifthly, I agree with Mr. Davies when he says we need to praise achievement more often remembering that reward sweetens labour.
However, there is significant public opinion which I suggest requires more swift action against those lawmen that break the oath they took to uphold the law.
Certainly, this is an important area for any Reform and Modernisation Project to reform and modernise.
However, Madam Editor, as always, maybe I am wrong.
Colonel MacMillan, C.D., J.P. is a former Commissioner of Police.
Back to Commentary
