THE EDITOR, Sir:
THIS YEAR the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is marking 136 years of existence. Formed two years after the Morant Bay Rebellion, its aim was to 'repress the rebels in the society', as articulated by the colonial authority. The power structure was stunned by the fact that poor people could have seized a police station and rioted in the manner that they did to create what is known in our history as the Morant Bay Rebel-lion. A police force therefore was their means of ensuring that the people were kept in check through the use of brutal measures.
It is clear that the police force has come a long way and has obviously undergone much restructuring. However, its traditional objective to repress rebels is still at work. This needs to be replaced with a new and different kind of response to people who break the law. It is clear that people are now less inclined to respect the rules and regulations of society, but repressive actions will not solve the problem. This will only breed hostility towards the force and cause people to alienate themselves from this necessary institution.
The change that is often talked about in terms of how police officers are dealing with the masses is far from materialising. There is still the 'roughing up', the disrespect, and the killing of people, oftentimes not in self-defence. The power structure in the police force should decide that they are going to eliminate old-style policing, associated with the old colonial order. Non-lethal approach to policing, control and restraint of criminals without death being the result must now be the main objective of the force.
Community policing must be encouraged in all areas of the police divisions. Beefing up of the investigative capacity of the force should be a top priority. These are the areas in which outside help, which is now being clamoured for, is needed to address, not to build more prisons and import more guns. The positive things that are being undertaken by the force must be lauded. These include helping to address social and economic needs in communities through outreach programmes and youth activities, among others. However, the abrasive approach to the public must be done away with, and a serious retraining of the human resource be undertaken in the Force immediately.
I am etc.,
VIVIENNE PITTER
viviennepitter@hotmail.com
Teacher; Post Grad
Student U.W.I.
Kingston 20
Via Go-Jamaica
