DSP Eleanor James is the first woman to be accepted into the telecoms division. -Photo by Yahneake Sterling

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

In 1982, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Eleanor James, then acting corporal, became the first woman to be accepted to the Telecommunications Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Twenty-four years later, she made history again when she broke the glass ceiling in the male-dominated JCF and became the first female head of the same division in May of 2006.

But more importantly, DSP James's appointment comes at a time when security and communication are of great importance for the historic staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC).

This is by no means any small matter. As head of the communication link for security during the event, one could become intimidated, but DSP James states firmly that she is ready for the challenge.

The best place to be

A member of the JCF since 1977, DSP James says there is nowhere else that she would rather be.

"Our part of the preparation for the World Cup is our radio system. The new wireless communication system is already in Trelawny and we are in the process of distributing it for Sabina Park," she explained.

"So the new system is up and running for the Cricket World Cup and so far, we have had no problems," she added.

The contract for the new system was signed in March of last year, and implementation began in May of the same year.

DSP James notes that her able team of technicians has worked feverishly to ensure the smooth operation of the new system.

Prior knowledge of the event got the team working to the level they are now. Currently, clear, crisp sounds can be heard on all the radios, no matter where they are located, be it Kingston or Trelawny.

Since preparations for the CWC began, 12-hour days have become a norm, but DSP James says she hardly notices how time passes as she is always so engrossed in her job.

Hands-on work

Before being promoted to a managerial position, however, DSP James enjoyed the hands-on work of repairing, servicing, installing and programming radios.

"Sometimes I miss it and I still install occasionally," she revealed smiling.

To get to where she is now, DSP James completed several technical training courses at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now the University of Technology (UTech), and the National Technical School in the United States.

She says being a part of the security force was her dream as a child. Were it not for her father, she would have joined the force before the age of 21.

Stating that she feels at home with the men in her division, DSP James says that gender has never been an issue.

A natural leader, she is described by her colleague Inspector Patrick Anthony Matthews as "a counsellor, big sister, adviser, manager and policymaker who is well-loved."