Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas (right) presents the trophy for obtaining the highest marks to Constable Shaun Moodie at the graduation ceremony at the Jamaica Police Academy, Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, in August this year.
Just when many Jamaicans were giving up hope, there came the news they were all waiting for. By February, statistics showed that murders and other violent crimes had declined by 19 per cent, compared to the same period last year. Throughout the first half of the year, this trend continued and by July, news of the continued decline was released.
It was reported that 675 murders were committed between January 1 and July 6, a fall of 211 murders from 886 in the corresponding period last year. Islandwide, major crimes (murder, shooting, rape, carnal abuse, robbery, breaking and larceny) also fell during that period to 3,743, down from 4,392 in the corresponding period last year.
The police have been praised for managing to accomplish what, at times seemed like the impossible. While most members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) deserve praise for their efforts this year, there are three major players who had a particularly integral role in the decline of the homicide rate.
They are Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields and head of the much-touted Operation Kingfish, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds. For their role in the achievements of the police force this year, these three men will receive the Gleaner Honour Award for public service.
Much praise has been given to Commissioner Lucius Thomas for his role in the achievements of the police force for this year. But how did he pull it off?
Respect
According to the modest policeman, it all goes back to respect.
"When you treat the members of the police force with the respect that they deserve and you take time to listen to their concerns, then inevitably their morale will be raised and they will be driven to perform at their greatest," he said.
The police commissioner said that ensuring that his police force remains motivated and that the members have a listening ear waiting on them, is essential.
"My office door is always open. I'm always willing and ready to hear their concerns. I think that this is extremely important," he said.
But Commissioner Thomas is adamant that the successes achieved by the force so far this year, are only the beginning.
"We have a number of plans to ensure that the homicide rate continues to decline. We are pleased with the decline so far, but we are not yet satisfied. Even one murder for the year is too many," he said.
Worked hard
For his part, DCP Shields also worked very hard to combat crime this year. His has become the unofficial face of the police force and he is instantly recognised on crime scenes, where residents often swarm him to tell him their concerns. On assuming the post with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, DCP Shields left one of Scotland Yard's most vital posts: head of Special Branch's International Terrorism unit. A career detective with Scotland Yard from the age of 18, his 29 years of policing have encompassed organised crime, domestic and international terrorism, fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, murder and gun crime. Many of these are part of the crime scene in Jamaica.
Through his work with Operation Trident in London, DCP Shields places great importance on community involvement in crime fighting. He explained that Operation Trident was successful due to the use of independent advisory groups, staffed by community leaders. This, he noted, built trust between both groups and consequently, the flow of information and arrests. Jamaica, he reasons, must follow this type of policing. It is therefore clear why Jamaicans in several war-torn communities see in him a confidant and often make calls for him to visit their communities when there is a flare up of violence.
Silenced critics
ACP Hinds also achieved much success this year as head of Operation Kingfish. Many who were weary of another crime-fighting task force subjected Operation Kingfish to intense criticism upon its formation. Close to the end of the year, however, the success of Operation Kingfish has silenced most critics. ACP Hinds and his well-trained officers were the masterminds behind some of the largest drug and ammunition recovery efforts of the year.
They were also responsible for bringing down some of the most notorious drug lords in the country while driving fear into the hearts of those who remain. Operation Kingfish, in summary, has managed to make life uncomfortable for those who once flaunted their criminality and have made them realise that the police are serious about the fight against crime.
ACP Hinds has been a model leader in this fight and so has won the admiration of his fellow officers and members of the public.
So, for their invaluable contribution to the fight against crime, Commissioner Lucius Thomas, Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields and Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds are being honoured with the Gleaner Honour Award for Public Service.
