By Claude Mills, Staff ReporterTHE TRAUMA and stress of policing what some see as elements of an increasingly confrontational Jamaican public, are taking an emotional toll on some members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
"Many are suffering from stress, the long hours, poor working environments, and a number of them are acting up in how they approach the public," says Sergeant Michael Clarke, president of the Jamaica Police Federation. "There have been resignations on an almost daily basis. On average, there are about six resignations per week, and there was one week where there were 10 in all."
The Police Federation represents rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) up to the level of Inspector.
"Some have migrated, or gone into their own businesses, most complain that it is a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't with this job. They feel they're not appreciated, and that they need to spend more time with their kids," he said.
However, checks with the personnel department of the JCF revealed a different scenario.
"The numbers of resignations are not exorbitant to the point where we could see a problem. It's not true that there are on average six resignations per week. There aren't that many unless they haven't reached us yet," said Supt. Alvena Ewan who is in charge of the personnel department in the Office of the Commissioner.
NON-PAYMENT
The Police Federation is also harping over the non-payment of certain key allowances such as monthly travelling allowances of $20,000 for travelling officers (inspector rank upwards), family visit stipends and for marching order subsistence. Marching orders refer to duties performed by a policeman outside the division in which he is stationed.
"The Ministry of Finance says it has a serious cash-flow problem. Some allowances aren't paid for sometimes three months and in some cases, almost a year for the marching order stipend. Recently, the Community Relations Department has said that it has problems getting food from its regular supplier to feed the officers on special duties in areas like Payne Land and Mountain View because of tardy payments by the government," Sgt. White said.
Many police officers run the gauntlet of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and insomnia. According to the federation, more than 50 per cent of police members suffer from hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases such as kidney failure.
"The stress factor is part and parcel of law enforcement, but various spin-offs from stress such as hypertension is prevalent, as well as diabetes, and often the officers aren't even aware of a problem until we point it out," the Rev. Dr. Vivian Panton, chaplain of the police force, said.
SUICIDES
There were two suicides by police personnel within two weeks of each other in March this year. Inspector Clement Wright, a 15-year veteran of the Jamaica Constabulary, was theorised to have committed suicide; the body of Constable Patrick Thompson, 48, was found in the barrack room at the Hayes police station in Clarendon.
However, despite these apparent suicides, Dr. Panton, scotched allegations that the prevalence of suicide in the local police force was increasing.
"In comparison with police forces across the world, the suicide rate is pretty low. It surprises me when I speak to other chaplains and hear the extent of suicide among the personnel in their countries. The officers here seem to do very well managing stress, and although there is some amount of spousal abuse, it is low. The main complaints we get centre around placement in stations far from home, and how it damages the family unit," he said.
Sgt. White said that the "hate-mongering" whipped up by human rights groups in the hearts of the general populace had tarnished the morale of the force.
"We take issue with the way in which the human rights groups are trying to make the country see the police as the enemy. We don't want people to tear us down. We don't subscribe to police officers abusing their powers, or doing illegal acts, we are not enemies of Jamaica," he said.
