Green
Monique Hepburn, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE GATHERING of solid, irrefutable evidence is what newly-appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police Leslie Green, is citing as the key tool local detectives will utilise to put criminals behind bars.
"My priority is securing convictions," the 47-year-old Scotsman told The Sunday Gleaner last week after signing a three-year contract with the JCF. "I am not into making lots of arrests, or making lots of charges, because they do not help anything."
"I want to make sure that when we charge people, we charge the right people, and that we have the evidence to present to the judge in order to keep these violent criminals in custody," he continued. "I am here to dispel myths that the JCF and its detectives cannot be trusted."
ACP Green has been seconded to the JCF's Counter Narcotics and Major Crimes Task Force (Kingfish) from the Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD) in London. Prior to his Jamaica assignment, he was a Detective Superintendent in charge of the SCD's response to gun-enabled crime and the supply of Class 'A' drugs in London.
BOTCHED EVIDENCE DAYS ARE OVER
He says the days of going to court with botched evidence are over, and every effort will be made to pursue due diligence in investigating crimes and gathering evidence.
"There has to be the realisation that the evidence the police has need to be strong," he stated. "There have been too many cases in the past where people have been charged on weak or non-existent evidence, maybe with some good intentions but that has got to change. Evidence must be in a form that can be put to the court."
Convinced that the JCF can reach the level of performance necessary to put a dent in the nation's criminal network and restore public confidence, ACP Green is keen to improve its intelligence and investigation skills. It has his sights set on capacity building with a view to reducing violent crimes, at the same time raising the force's levels of professionalism and motivation.
To this end, he says he has worked out a clear set of strategies to reduce inefficiency and mismanagement of resources.
"Priorities will be on quality investigations in getting public support confidence," he said.
INSTRUMENTAL
ACP Green was instrumental in establishing the investigative element of Kingfish. He has mentored and overseen the work of detectives in more than 140 cases and aided senior cops in high-profile crime investigations.
He has also worked with key stakeholders in the security and justice system to facilitate greater participation.
Referring to his expertise in combating organised and violent crimes, specifically shootings and murders, ACP Green explained that his practical approach to intelligence gathering will be effective in reducing current crime trends.
However, he called on communities to cooperate with the police to rid their locales of violence. He also urged politicians and community leaders to deal with depravation and poverty, claiming that such matters were not for the police to address.
