The Editor, Sir:

While in Jamaica, especially over the past few weeks, I have been listening to 'talk radio' and and note the number of callers and some hosts who, from my vantage point, vilify the Jamaican police/ security forces in regard to the incident which took place in Tivoli Gardens a few weeks ago.

I do not know if the actions of the security forces were right or wrong, but this much I know, we must wait on the inquiry to make that assessment and, in regard for our Jamaican Constitution, call for judgement by 'jury of their peers', should that become necessary. What I do know, also, is whenever most of our citizens are robbed, injured or afraid of the criminals, they do not go on 'talk radio' or call politicians, it is the call for "police, police" that we hear.

In my visits, I have on many occasions come across a number of officers and the vast majority of them are good, decent, honest men and women who want to control this monster of crime more than anything else.

show appreciation

I visited the Falmouth Police Station and was very ashamed of our previous government which had our police working in the most deplorable condition. It is a historic building/compound, but, my God, we have to treat these brave souls better than that. I am hoping that the Minister of Security will let the township know when they intend to complete the new police station and the reasons why construction was halted. The police needed this building 20 years ago.

Finally, I have decided that every time I am in Jamaica and I see a police or soldier I am going to walk up to them and say, "thanks for your hard work, I appreciate what you are doing." I would like to ask all law-abiding Jamaicans to do the same. To all the officers in Falmouth, keep up the excellent job and I applaud your professionalism.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A. BECKFORD

pbeckf01@yahoo.cm

Somerset, NJ

Via Go-Jamaica