Delroy ChuckTHE NEW year has started where the old year ended. The frightening and escalating spate of killings continues. Murderers are on a rampage. Our young men, in particular, are demonstrating an unusual heartlessness and evil mindedness, an utter contempt for human life, and a complete lack of respect for law and authority that threatens the whole Jamaican society.
Quite obviously, it cannot be business as usual. On every front, throughout
every nook and cranny, at every level of the society, from every single Jamaican, we need a new resolve to fight crime and to adopt new approaches to tame the monster of criminality. To be sure, it is the mounting murder rate that frightens everyone. Yet, even while we seek ways and means to curb the killings, corruption and indiscipline are eroding the moral and social order.
ARE WE A PART OF THE PROBLEM
Those of us who denounce killings must quietly ask if in even a small way we are not part of the problem instead of part of the solution. When we contribute to the malpractices, irregularities, stress, frustration, injustice and disorder, are we not a part of the problem? As we seek to reduce murders, we must also play our part and seek zero tolerance for every simple breach, minor crime and the rampant corruption in the corridors of business and power.
Our deteriorating judicial system has become a part of the problem and probably contributes to the escalating murder rate. Victims and their families have lost trust and confidence in the system of justice. They no longer feel they can get adequate redress and a quick delivery of justice, and are taking the law into their own hands by meting out jungle justice and exacting revenge and reprisals. The inordinate delays, inadequate investigations, mounting frustrations and fear of witnesses and the feeble prosecutions of criminal cases have sent
the wrong signals to the society that there is no justice and that criminals are more likely to get away than to suffer punish-
ment for their dastard behaviour.
In the fight against crime, the criminal justice system must live up to the highest expectations of due process and deliver to accused persons their just desert a speedy trial and an appropriate punishment if convicted.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is our main protector and defender against the criminals. Today, with a new commissioner in place, the clear message must be that we cannot continue to fight crime as we have done in the past. Those commentators who believe we need tougher and harder policing are wrong. It has not and cannot work. Traditional tough policing alienates communities, promotes brutality and abuses, creates distrust and disrespect, and ultimately destroys the confidence and consent of the people. The abuse of power and the unleashing of fear will never solve crime.
In the communities where crime and murders have decreased, it is community policing that led the way. When citizens cooperate with the police, the criminals don't have a chance. Crimes and murders are out of control in communities that cannot trust the police and view them in the same light as the criminals. When policemen treat the innocent, the young and old, women and children, and whole communities as if they are enemies, then the natural reaction and inevitable response is to hate and disrespect them.
Commissioner Lucius Thomas needs to understand that he needs the confidence, consent and cooperation of every citizen, whether uptown or downtown, urban or rural township, or in some inner-city community, without which there can be no hope of bringing crime and murder under control. If we are to control crime, the police force needs a new image, a new direction and new strategies. A change of commissioners cannot do it, unless the new commissioner brings a new approach and puts in place a programme to weed out the bad eggs, the corrupt and the deadwood that have given the Force a terrible image. The perception of corruption, indiscipline and actual criminality from members of the Force must be corrected. Allegations of abuses and atrocities from unprofessional police officers must be quickly and appropriately dealt with.
The public wants to work with the police but the police must lead the way.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law
and Opposition member of Parliament.
He can be contacted by email at Delchuck@Hotmail.Com.
