THE CONTRASTING behaviour of personnel within the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Island Special Constabulary Force (best categorised by the popular moniker-red seam and blue seam, respectively) was brought out quite clearly last week. While one organisation saw its members behave responsible and go through the court system to pursue their wage claims, the other took the opposite route and used subterfuge by way of sick-outs and abstentions.
Police work is difficult, especially due to the social and political environment that they face here. Don't tell me however that the members did not know that it would be tough when they took the job. Having failed to secure a substantial wage increase, without taking into consideration either the ability to pay or the effect that any special treatment would have in upsetting other public sector-paid groups linked to the public sector Memorandum of Understanding, and not wishing to focus on non-pay improvements, some members of the JCF (without overt criticism from its negotiating arm-the Police Federation), have now reverted to the disingenuous tactic of feigning illness and other assorted maladies in mock protest. What they should do is look at the better example of their so-called juniors (the ISCF) who took the responsible route and went by way of the judicial process for a ruling, on the contentious MoU issue.
OUTSTANDING GAPS
Up to now this route has not been tried by the Police Federation. Is it any wonder that there are outstanding gaps in their operational skills, leading to recent attempts to recruit overseas police officers to fill in such deficiencies?
The Police Federation executive seems to believe that if you puff hard and bluster a lot, you will always get what you want. That reminds me an awful lot of spoiled brat behaviour. If the job that you are in is not seen as paying well or has poor working conditions or creates a lot of stress, then there is always the option of resigning from it to avoid the aggravation, therefore allowing the organisation to hire others who may prefer to be there.
In addition, they could also ask a current overseas officer in the force how the Iron Lady was able to break the back of wildcat strikes in his country. No union is going to wish to see its finances bled dry for the irresponsible actions of its members (e.g. massive fines per day for continued illegal actions.)
REFORMS
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is at a critical juncture in its history where it has to decide if it will undertake fundamental reforms with its current members, or discard the vast lot and pursue change with a committed few until it can attract the calibre of future members it desires.
In its corporate strategy unveiled earlier in the year, the police promised to reduce crime and disorder; improve safety on the roads; improve the competence and professionalism of cops; cut corruption and modernise. To do this, it asked for a $7.8 billion budget, which focused on refurbishing, re-equipping and improving human productivity.
That bill has not been met but it needs all our support in getting them the funds they desire, along with reforming the police force, to give us a constabulary that we can all be proud of. Actions like those which occurred last week will not help.
