Glenroy Sinclair and Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporters

With an unprecedented 172 murders reported in St. James since January and the escalating gang violence which has left dozens of families displaced, Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas is in the process of effecting some major transfers in the division.

The Gleaner has learnt that a popular superintendent, who is from a strong community policing background, has been short-listed to head the division. According to a high-ranking officer who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday, several other major changes are to be effected.

Last month, Commissioner Thomas expressed concerns about the bloodletting in the parish. Two weeks ago, he also instructed the Professional Standards Branch to look into allegations that police personnel were involved in crime and acts of corruption in the parish.

Constables detained

Less than a week after he gave the instructions, two police constables were detained for questioning in connection with a multimillion-dollar lottery scam in Montego Bay.

The two police constables were released from jail Wednesday evening.

"The DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) gave us certain instructions for us to carry out some more investigation into the matter," Superintendent John Morris, acting commanding officer for St. James, explained yesterday.

"It is not like we are not pursuing the matter, but we cannot investigate and hold them without charges."

It was not immediately known whether the two constables, who are stationed at Adelphi and Cambridge respectively, will resume duties.

The cops were detained on December 2 on allegations of confiscating $97,000 from two key players in the lucrative, but deadly 'lottery' scam without arresting them. The cash was reportedly recovered from the policemen.

Reacting to reports of the impending transfers, Pastor Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Churches, welcomed the shake-up if it means better results.

"We really need to demand a proactive approach that will send criminals running for cover, because theirs is a daring approach," the pastor commented.

Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association said the efforts of the present commanding officer, Superintendent Warren Clarke, were handicapped by the lack of vital resources, coupled with police personnel who were letting him down.

Meanwhile, Pauline Reid, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is reserving her comments until the transfers are effected.