THE EDITOR, Sir:
AT LAST Commissioner Forbes has seen the light and heeded to the various recommendations from home and abroad to dismantle and put under one canopy, the various crime-fighting machinery-squads for better control and proper accountability.
Turf war is common in all police departments. All want to be recognised for any high-profile cases solved, thus the breakdown in control and sometimes effectiveness.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force's strength is in its composite identity, and not the narrower view of any type of 'cowboyism' displayed by some of its members. The recent sickout by some disgruntled members of the select crime-fighting squad should be stepped on by the Commissioner with all legal authority invested in him; this should not be allowed to happen again without due and severe consequences.
The police force or police department is not a ship without a compass; it's a professional government entity with a qualified officer in charge and should operate as such.
I would hope that Commissioner Forbes has the backing of Minister Phillips to implement whatever changes he sees fit for the betterment of the department. It's a new day and a new dawn. Gazetted officers should be held responsible for the actions of men under their command and the buck should stop with them, period.
The police force has a cadre of dedicated men and women who have been performing yeomen's work for decades and their tireless work has helped to cement the fragile democracy we enjoy.
Let's now all roll up our sleeves and help. Give them the support they need to put a bite into crime.
I am, etc.,
CASWELL H. ISAACS
cis5829822@aol.com
Alexandria, Virginia
Via Go-Jamaica
