CONCERNS REGARDING the safety and efficiency of the Police's Crime Stop programme and the conduct of members of the force dominated discussions between participants and callers to the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)/Jamaica Consta-bulary Force (JCF) monthly call-in programme on Thursday.Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Lucius Thomas, who is in charge of crime, said callers who spoke with him expressed concern about the Crime Stop programme. He noted that one caller, in particular, was not satisfied with the response from operators and went to the extent of calling the programme while speaking to him via three-way calling, to prove her point.
The Deputy Commissioner admitted that the caller's concern was real and said this is something that the police High Command will have to address. DCP Thomas described the session as very valuable, as callers provided some very important intelligence for the police regarding recent crimes committed. DCP Jevene Bent also concurred.
While not divulging too much details, she said two of the calls received provided her with valuable intelligence which the police will be acting on.
Participants in Thursday's call-in session, held at the PSOJ's Old Hope Road headquarters, included: Donovan Perkins, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pan Caribbean Merchant Bank, Rev. Al Miller, DCP Tilford Johnson, DCP Thomas, and DCP Jevene Bent. There were 24 recorded callers to the programme, a significant increase over the four received in the last session.
This was described as encouraging by the participants. Both Mr. Perkins and Rev. Miller expressed optimism about the session. The programme, they said, offered an excellent opportunity for the public to gain the confidence of the police which will prove beneficial to all. DCP Johnson filled in for Commissioner Francis Forbes.
The next call-in session is scheduled for October 9.
