Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas talks with residents during a tour of Jones Town and Trench Town. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
JUST A few days shy of a year on the job, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas seems to have struck the right chord in and outside of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). On January 19, last year, Lucius Thomas, 56, replaced Francis Forbes, who went on early retirement. Mr. Forbes became commissioner in 1996.
Ironically, Commissioner Thomas' positive rating comes despite the murder rate being at its highest. Sunday Gleaner responses last week showed that while the murder figure has climbed to new levels, many believe Commissioner Thomas has the right attitude to eventually get the job done.
National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips last week agreed that the commissioner, a 36-year veteran of the force, has been able to rally the support of his troops.
"I think he has come in at a difficult time and he has established himself well," Dr. Phillips said. "He has certainly had a positive impact on the force."
Derrick Smith, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, said Commissioner Thomas is faced with the "daunting task" of remedying crime this year.
"During 2005, the commissioner's first year in office, he has displayed courage, the ability to motivate his team, and a willingness to attack the challenges head-on," he said, adding that the Opposition waits to see how Commissioner Thomas will deploy his human resources this year.
"The Opposition continues to give Commissioner Thomas its full support," Mr. Smith added.
Beverley Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), said she also believes that Commissioner Thomas has been sufficiently able to motivate the force.
"I've found him to be much more people-friendly," she told The Sunday Gleaner on Friday. "He's much warmer and you feel more comfortable around him."
Referring to one of his strengths, Mrs. Lopez stated that Commissioner Thomas has been able to enlist the support of the police "by virtue of his style."
Lopez said, "In our (PSOJ) interaction with him, I just got the impression he has a grasp of what needs to be done (to solve crime) and there's a commitment to get the job done," she added.
Nearly two weeks ago, Commissioner Thomas promoted 300 rank and file members of the police force. In one instance, he deviated from the normal promotion process when he visited the St. Andrew Central Police Division and asked the policemen and women there to select from among themselves, those members they felt should be promoted. At least six persons were promoted in a flash.
"I think the commissioner has brought a sense of unity, he has uplifted the morale of the force to such a high level that it is probably unprecedented in the last 20 years or so," said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Leon Rose, chairman of the Police Officers' Association (POA). He cited Commissioner Thomas' open-door policy where virtually anyone can speak with him without making an appointment.
"He has restored a sense of hope, self-esteem and pride to members of the organisation," he stated, adding that Commissioner Thomas' stated desire to rid corruption from the force was sufficient evidence indicating his move to "professionalise" the force.
Corporal Hartley Stewart, general secretary of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file members, said it was "all praises" for the Commissioner of Police.
"His style is different, I would daresay unique," he told The Sunday Gleaner last Friday.
Corporal Stewart credited Commissioner Thomas for bridging the gap between the Police High Command and the Police Federation where policies and their execution are concerned.
