By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter 
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas (right), listens keenly to outgoing Commissioner Francis Forbes during a press conference in April last year in St. Andrew. - File
NEWLY-APPOINTED Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas says managing and reducing the country's frightening homicide rate will be his main priority.
Commenting on his appointment last night, the 55-year-old Thomas said: "I am really elated to continue serving my country in a higher capacity."
Responding to questions about his main priorities at this time, Mr. Thomas said he will be guided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) Corporate Strategy Plan and will continue to look at the organisation internally. He also plans to tackle the problem of corruption and indicipline within the Force.
35-YEAR VETERAN
A 35-year veteran of the JCF, Mr. Thomas was yesterday appointed by the Police Service Commission as the country's 25th Commissioner of Police. His appointment comes in the wake of the New Year's Day resignation of Police Commissioner Francis Forbes. Mr. Forbes, himself a career policeman, had served in that capacity for over eight years.
Mr. Thomas will assume command of the 134-year-old JCF effective Wednesday, January 19, the day Mr. Forbes demits office.
Born in the garden parish of St. Ann, he joined the JCF in 1969, at age 20. He has served in several police divisions, including Mobile Reserve as a young a rookie and the Kingston Central Division. He spent over 25 years at Special Branch.
Full of experience, Mr. Thomas has received both local and overseas training, pursuing courses in intelligence management for senior officers in aviation security, tactical weapons disposal and crisis management for major events. He has also completed human resource management courses at the Police Staff College and in the United Kingdom.
STEADY PROMOTIONS
He got his first promotion in 1977, after eight years in the Force, when he was promoted to Corporal, six years later he became a Sergeant. He was rewarded again four years later when he was promoted to Inspector. In 1989 Thomas became Assistant Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent in 1991, full Superintendent in 1996, Senior Superintendent in 1998 and Assistant Commissioner in 1999. In 2001 he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in charge of the crime portfolio.
Mr. Thomas' ascension to top post in the JCF comes as little surprise. During the past two years, he was one of three deputy commissioners and a known confidant of Mr. Forbes. His assignment as the crime chief pushed him into the spotlight on several occasions, as he was asked to act as commissioner while Mr. Forbes was on leave. He has accompanied Mr. Forbes on numerous high profile conferences and assignments overseas.
FORBES' SUDDEN RESIGNATION
In the meantime, Mr. Forbes bade farewell to executive members of the Jamaica Police Federation yesterday during a closed door meeting at his Old Hope Road offices in St. Andrew.
Reports are that the executives had requested the meeting, following Mr. Forbes' sudden resignation. "It came to us as a surprise," said chairman of the Police Officers Association Senior Superintendent Leon Rose.
