The Editor, Sir:

When communities protested killings by the police, in last week's incidents in St. James and St. Thomas, the police high command informed the public that the police shooters had been taken "off front-line duty".

The new Minister of National Security, Hon. Derrick Smith, must have already realised that measures that have failed in the past administration are not likely to bring success to the present administration.

A critical view of taking police 'off front-line duty' would need to begin with clarity on just what are these front-line duties.

UK definition

United Kingdom authorities define front-line activities as those dealing with incidents, enquiries, observations, searches, issuing advice and warnings, detaining, interviewing, and dealing with suspects; paperwork and case file preparation; dealing with incidents, visible patrol, investigating complaints, dealing with informants and interfacing with communities.

By this definition, a policeman who is 'off front-line duty' is, therefore, no longer carrying out policing functions as commonly understood and is, therefore, able to retain the benefits of his job while being freed from the innumerable pressures of policing.

I call on the new Minister of National Security to answer the following questions:

Exactly what definition does the minister accept in reference to 'front-line duty'? Is the Jamaican definition similar to the U.K. definition?

What, therefore, is the difference between a policeman who is 'off front-line duty' and a person who is awarded an in-office holiday on full salary and perquisites?

What are the criteria for returning a policeman to front-line duty, and how long does this take?

How many policemen have been taken off 'front-line duty' over the past five years or so? Under what circumstances were they returned to front-line duty?

How many policemen are currently 'off front-line duty'? For what reasons?

Minister Smith faces early security crises, and will need quickly to determine which solutions are viable and which are not.

I am, etc.,

YVONNE McCALLA SOBERS

sobersy@yahoo.com

Kingston 6

Via Go-Jamaica