NORMAN GRINDLEY, Staff Photographer -
Policemen from the Traffic headquarters in Kingston in their bid to clamp down on speeding motorists along Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, recently.
LUCIUS THOMAS took
on the hot seat of
Commissioner of Police last week, amid a murder rate that continues to increase. Divisional heads and other senior cops across the island have endorsed his ascension to the top position in the Jamaica Con
stabulary Force. But they also have a word or two for him as to what they expect of him and how they expect him to perform if he is to succeed. Below are some of the views:
WESTMORELAND
Kingsley Whilby, crime chief in Westmoreland: "I consider him a capable person with all the necessary credentials for the job. I am confident that once he gets the resources from government he will be able to make a significant dent on the crime and homicide rate in Jamaica. He has our full support."
Senior Superintendent
Jasmine Tomlinson-Brown: "I personally welcome Mr. Thomas, as I know of his professional conduct. My team and I will display the loyalty that is expected from us".
HANOVER
Deputy Superintendent Paul Stanton, commanding officer of the Hanover Police Division: "Excellent man for the job! I expect nothing but quality leadership, something I know he is capable of delivering and as long as we get the necessary resources, the force
will be better off with him as
commissioner. He is a man of integrity who operates an open-door policy, not aggressive... approachable and the personnel at Hanover pledge their full support.
PORTLAND
Superintendent for Port Antonio and its sub divisions, Elbert Nelson: "I expect that he will continue the modernisation that has started some time now. We will launch a new corporate strategy in a few weeks, and Mr. Thomas will basically spearhead this launch."
Mr. Nelson noted that no fundamental shifts are expected regarding Mr. Thomas' management of the force, and that there is no doubt that the new commissioner will get full cooperation from all, based on the kind of person that he is.
MANCHESTER
A poll of 30 police officers at 10 of the 11 police stations in Manchester found most persons have adopted a 'wait-and-see' attitude regarding Commissioner Thomas.
Twenty-five of the respondents are apprehensive, while the others said they knew nothing of him because of the section (Special Branch) he used to serve.
One sergeant, however, said because Commissioner Thomas used to head the crime unit, he was in charge of an escalating crime situation and the public will most likely judge him on that. He will have to operate differently from his
predecessor who was judged, though unfairly, on the high crime situation.
Most of the policemen and policewomen stationed at the Mandeville police station said they are supportive of Commissioner Thomas but they do not expect much to change. One officer at the Area 3 head-quarters said Com-missioner Thomas will be gone in two years and that will give him very little time to effect productive changes. Cpl. Rovan Salmon said he welcomed the change of command which he hopes will be able to restore morale and get the needed resources to make the force effective in policing crime. According to Cpl. Salmon, the conditions under which the police operate and the long hours must also be addressed by Commissioner Thomas if he hopes to get the support of all his men.
ST. ELIZABETH
Deputy Superintendent in charge of administration of the St. Elizabeth divisional headquarters in Black River, Horace Sangster: "I expect the new Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, to employ a partnership approach with the police and the citizens to effectively fight the monster called crime."
He explained that the trust between the citizens and the police is critical and if not rebuilt urgently "Jamaica will be in even more danger". Mr. Sangster also said that at this time, Thomas is the best man for the job.
He also noted that the co-
operation between the police and the citizens from here on will be one of the major tools in fighting crime, illegal drugs, guns and extortion rackets.
ST. THOMAS
The police in St. Thomas have adopted a 'wait-and-see' attititude towards the new commissioner of police and how he will perform.
While there are those who know him personally and think that he is the man for the job, the general consensus is that Commissioner Thomas is only one individual and the change that is needed in crime-fighting is the concerted effort of the commissioner, the police, the government and the citizens of the country.
One district constable who is a personal acquaintance of the commissioner for over 25 years says he has high hopes for Commissioner Thomas but he believes that for the crime situation in Jamaica to change the government will have to address matters as it relates to salary, equipment and vehicles
for the police to do their job effectively. He pointed out that there was no police vehicle at the police division where he was stationed.
ST. CATHERINE
Head of the St. Catherine North Police Division, Superintendent Wrenford Robinson said that he expects that the new commis
sioner, will give of his best to the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Superintendent Robinson said that Thomas, being a senior police officer who has gone the full gamut of the organisation, can only do well and continue on with the legacy left by his predecessor, Francis Forbes.
He said that he expects growth in the corporate strategy and that the new commissioner will continue to keep a tight lid on unsavory characters within the organisation.
Superintendent Corneilius Walker of the St. Catherine South division echoed the sentiments of Superintendent Robinson and added
that with proper support, great things are expected of the new commissioner.
