WESTERN BUREAU:
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER of Police T.G. Johnson has revealed that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be fully prepared to handle the up coming general election and has expressed confidence that it will be the most peaceful in the island's history.
Speaking at the LASCO Police Officer of the Year 2002 Area Level Awards function at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay yesterday, Deputy Commissioner Johnson said that preparation by the JCF for the elections is well on its way.
"I will like to tell you that the preparation for this event (the general election) is already well advanced," Johnson stated.
"Based on the reaction we have been getting from the Chairman of the EAC (Election Advisory Committee), the Director of Elections, the Political Ombudsman and other persons connected with the exercise, we are confident that the election will be a good one," he said.
He called for the fullest co-operation of the public during the election exercise. "I would like to use this medium to again ask for the fullest cooperation from the members of the public during the event," he said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the LASCO group of Companies, Lascelles Chin has described the election as 'one of the Police Force's greatest challenge.' He called for public support during the event.
"Our support for the police during elections is crucial, because the eyes of the world will be upon us," he remarked. "International observers will be here to monitor our election and of course our behaviour. The challenge is ours to conduct ourselves with dignity and discipline."
