THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHILE THE Police Officers' Association (POA) is not in the habit of responding to malicious and baseless criticism, we feel that a grave injustice would be done if we did not respond to the issues raised in the editorial in The Sunday Gleaner of June 21.
The POA does not view a chairman of an association who, in arguing for improved remuneration, makes reference to others who are in the same organisation, doing similar jobs, with similar competencies, experience and qualifications as members of his association, but receiving substantially higher salaries from their mutual employer, as an "unfortunate comparison."
The editorial was, however, correct when it asserted that Acting Assistant Commissioner Leon Rose is aware of the circumstances of their appointment and the true source from which their salaries emanates, and it is on the basis of that knowledge that his statements were made.
We acknowledge that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is not perfect. In furtherance of our acceptance of that fact, we the members of the JCF in 1998 initiated a programme of reform and modernisation supported by the British Government through the Department of Inter-national Development (DFID). Under the programme, for the first time a Corporate Strategy was developed to guide the process we, as an organisation, viewed as essential to achieving our vision of the JCF as a modern, appropriately equipped, efficient police service, that acts with the highest integrity and professionalism to serve the needs of our nation.
INITIATIVES
As part of that programme of reform and modernisation, numerous initiatives have been developed and implemented, including the creation of the Professional Standards Branch to safeguard against corrupt practices within our ranks; the improvement of our intelligence gathering capability and the continued expansion of our intelligence-driven crime reduction initiatives; the heavy investment in training of our personnel at all levels including those involved in criminal investigation, and the many other initiatives.
The efforts of the members of the JCF, under the leadership of our Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lucius Thomas, has resulted in a steep decline in murder during the first six months of this year.
Yet, if credence is to be given to the editorial, this should be credited solely to the British nationals, which can only be, at best, described as an extremely simplistic interpretation of the facts, and betrays a lack of knowledge about the policing in general and about the JCF in particular.
The rest of the JCF stands accused of being "corrupt, inept, repressive and contributing more to social instability than the prevention or solution to crime". We view this as a very serious and unfortunate allegation that is made even more so given the source of the accusation.
We disagree with the statement that the POA has shifted the 'goal post' in respect of our position on the proposed contracts of employment for local officers of the commissioning ranks and on the hiring of non-nationals to fill senior police posts.
BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS
To date, our stated position on these issues has not changed. We, therefore, repeat that we are not averse to the employment of non-Jamaican police officers to help build the capacity of the JCF; in fact, we embrace them and have been working on developing harmonious and mutually beneficial relationships with them.
Moreover, in case you missed it, they too are in solidarity with our quest for better remuneration. We also wish to assure all that we support the editorial's point about the necessity of ensuring maximum return on the investment being made in these officers.
Finally, the POA has never ceased to engage the Government on the matter of the reform and modernisation of the Jamaica Constabulary.
This, we accept, may not always be apparent to the public. However, we remain available to discuss our position on these issues.
I am, etc.,
NORMAN HEYWOOD
Superintendent of Police
Chairman
Police Officers' Association
