The Editor, Sir:

When I joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force as assistant chaplain/psychologist/counsellor 13 years ago, I was an outsider. During that time I saw and sensed the pulse of the JCF under two Commissioners - one from outside the ranks and one from within. Part of my job was to understand what motivated police officers to their fullest potential. Some were encouraged under the commissioner who came in from outside, while others responded better when the laurel, wreath and crown returned to the shoulders of one of their own. The use of a person from outside, with very special competencies in very special circumstances, is no bad for an organisation; however, at the same time, it is neve good.

In an organisation characterized by clear and distinct ranks and earned promotion through those ranks, the crowning of someone outside the JCF as commissioner, except in extreme and special circumstances, may suggest the following: (1) a denial of the purpose and value of the ranks and the ranking system (2) a denial of the value of promotions and the development of the leadership in the ranks (3) an admission of the failure of the training through which officers have gone (4) an admission of the waste of money and time spent on training these officers (5) an implied worthlessness of the leadership within, and the organisation itself.

special circumstance

The powers that be will need to prove an extreme and special circumstance before appointing a non-JCF person as commissioner. The individual must have an amazing humility and ability to unify, excite and motivate ALL his subordinate officers. Yet, there may remain the huge risk of demoralizing persons at the higher ranks, with its concomitant counter-productivity. We might not escape a lasting impression on the minds of the lower ranks that no matter how bright and ready they may be years from now, they will never be commissioner. It sends a message to suitable persons thinking about joining the Force to think twice, to go elsewhere, robbing the JCF of its best applicants.

I am not convinced that the Police Services Commission cannot find one competent and intelligent JCF individual out of the handful that is sitting right under its members' noses, who can be commissioner tomorrow. If the PSC, for the second time in 14 years, feels the need to appoint an 'outsider' as commissioner, then this is probably a sign of some other problems that probably warrant some treatment other than appointing non-JCF commissioners. Let's address that once for all.

I am, etc.,

Rev. Dr. MICHAEL FRIDAY

rev_manfriday@hotmail.com

801 Kayleen Dr

Bellevue, Nebraska

Via Go-Jamaica