Heather Robinson
RECENTLY THE Commissioner of Police, Mr Lucius Thomas made some startling revelations about the levels of corruption in the Jamaica Constabulary Force. There have been allegations and suspicions in the past, but the statement made by the commissioner at the annual conference of the Jamaica Police Federation has served to reinforce within the minds of most Jamaicans what was always suspected. But never before have we heard a commissioner speak so candidly to those whom he leads. Mr Thomas is to be commended and we can only hope that he will be able to rid the force of these police officers during his tenure.
Mr Thomas is in an unenviable position of leadership. In most organisations any leader who is in such a position would have the power and authority to terminate the services of such employees, simply because they no longer enjoy his confidence. Imagine the pain Mr Thomas must be enduring having to sit, have meetings and discuss sensitive security matters with such corrupt police officers. Does he really know on whom he can depend to give their "full hundred" in protecting, serving and reassuring the Jamaican people?
The Commissioner is a senior police officer with over 30 years' experience and we can only believe that his heart must have been so full that he just decided to literally "tell it like it is". But how does the ordinary Jamaican seek to determine who is a decent police officer versus who is a corrupt police officer? What are the blatant and easily observed signs that one can use to make such an assumption?
ANNUAL SALARIES
Let us begin by taking a look at the annual salaries paid by the Government of Jamaica to the gazetted officers. These include officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent up to Commissioner. The figures represent what an officer is currently being paid as basic salary as well as their housing allowance.
I am positive that many persons who are seeing these figures for the first time are in a state of shock. And the shock is for many reasons. Firstly some persons just cannot believe that that is what these officers many with over 20 and 30 years of experience are earning. Secondly, some persons are wondering: is this my neighbour who is living in the house valued at $20 million and who is driving a 2005 SUV? And then there are some among us who might be saying that some of them deserve exactly what they are being paid as they do barely enough work for that salary.
SIGNAL OF CORRUPTION
Lifestyle is one of the many tests that can be used as a possible signal of corruption. Monetary reward is usually seen as the benefit that the corrupt officer receives. And few are those who are prepared to "bank" the money and save it for spending after retirement or separation from the JCF. So when officers receive these ill-gotten gains, some feel compelled to spend and exhibit conspicuous lifestyles. The most common demonstrations include fancy and expensive homes and vehicles. There are some who also provide evidence of corruption by their clothing and jewelry.
Each police officer is required by law to submit an annual statement to the Committee for the Prevention of Corruption. One can only wonder how many police officers have had to provide explanations as to the assets they have declared. Further, is the Committee exercising initiative and visiting these homes and asking for proof of other sources of income? How many of these homes are built with mortgage financing? How many police officers who have managed to construct such homes have spouses who are earning three, four and five times their incomes? A telephone call or visit to any mortgage lending institution will provide you with the income required to receive a specific mortgage.
The bigger worry we should have as a country however, is what 'work' or 'service' was provided to receive such compensation. Imagine a JCF and a Jamaica with all the corrupt police officers living permanently at Tower Street and no longer members of the JCF. The reduction in criminal activity would become immediately evident. Those who are guilty of corruption should do the honourable thing and resign now. We will always remember and know you.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
Top cop salaries
Rank Gov't income ($)
Asst. Supt. 987,933
Dep. Supt. 1,213,749
Supt. 1,416,619
Snr. Supt. 1,670,219
Asst. Com. 2,034,026
Dep. Com. 2,348,814
Com. 2,954,561
