THE EDITOR, Sir:
SINCE I have been in Jamaica I have heard a lot about corruption in the Police Force. I personally have not witnessed any acts of wrongdoing. But as a corruption investigator back in the U.S., I find it reasonable to assume it exists here in Jamaica. Commissioner Lucius Thomas has made a giant step in the right direction by acknowledging the existence of wrongdoing within the ranks.
In America we have a law that protects those who report official acts of wrongdoing, and the penalty is severe if one is guilty of harassment, intimidation, administrative action, etc., against the one who reports corruption. Many a politician have felt the strong arm of the law for persecuting one that reports and/or fights acts of corruption. I am not implying that something like that could happen here, but nevertheless, it is bold statements by Commissioner Thomas.
It is wrong for anyone to expect the citizenry, private sector, or Government to stand against corruption. It must be the duty of each honourable law enforcement officer to fight crime within as well as without. It is unfair for the honourable cop to work alongside someone dealing in drugs, gun-running, payoffs, etc.
Being a realist, however, I understand the reluctance of one to report illegal acts if they do not receive cooperation and support from the force in general, or the prosecutors.
These are desperate times in Jamaica and call for desperate measures, but it must also come from within the ranks.
Many of my fellow law officers in America salute the commissioner for stating what others have been saying for a long time. His war against corruption must be nationally supported, and every citizen, regardless of what their individual status in life is, needs to let him know that they support and will assist the commissioner in this battle.
The commissioner has been bold and his acts cannot be any less bold. Let us all be bold, and join with him and the vast majority of Jamaican law officers in fighting the "enemy within". Many talk about corruption and state that nothing is being done about it. Well, maybe the tide is changing.
I am, etc.,
RUSSELL A. HICKMON
Cmdrf5-Jam@Emoquad.com
