Improving the Force
published: Friday | October 3, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHEN THE police address the citizen as 'Sir' and 'Ma'am', the brain goes into tranquillity. When the citizen is addressed as 'Boy' or 'Gal', the brain goes into the fight or flight syndrome. The ethos in the Jamaica Constabulary Force that every police must carry a gun is a turn-off for citizens. More police means more crime.
I would like to see television ads with police going to motorist saying: "Good morning, Sir," or "Good morning Ma'am, may I see your driver's licence?". When a citizen is incarcerated the Commissioner of Police should send a letter to the citizen's home, expressing regret at the citizen's inconvenience, but hoping the matter will be dealt with in a fair and expeditious way through the courts. In this way the police would be moving closer to ensure the smooth reproduction of the social order.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Jamaica Constabulary make a start, it will not hurt, it will be a plus for your organisation, start to address the citizens as 'Sir' and 'Ma'am'.
