The Editor, Sir:

Kindly allow me to send this open letter to the prime minister, congratulating him for appointing Colonel Trevor MacMillan to the post of minister of national security. It is with this change in mind that I suggest ways to improve and strengthen the human resource and manpower elements of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

I think it would be a good idea to implement a programme to encourage young, ex-members of the Jamaica Defence Force to join the Jamaica Constabulary Force, those who completed their contracts with the military and were honourably discharged.

Already exposed

These ex-military personnel, especially military police, would have already been exposed to the kind of discipline that is expected of our police force; they would have met the age requirement and would have been exposed to weapons and arms training.The private-security companies are the organisations benefiting the most from these well-trained men and women who could further serve our country.

I want to also suggest that the military go back into the high schools and help to establish and work with cadet units, so that these units will serve to be the feeder for the army and, by extension, that will help with the discipline in our schools.

I am, etc.,

JUNIOR GEORGE JAMES

james_bondjm@yahoo.com