The Editor, Sir:

The current proposal to reform the police services prompts me to suggest that the time is right for a critical look at the county demarcations currently used in Jamaica. The fact that the three counties exist is only now trivia information known to most in Jamaica, but serving no real function.

County government with responsibilities for their own local ordinance, tax collections and infrastructural maintenance could also pay for county police services to operate exclusively in their respective counties. The fact that the police officers would also live in the counties they police would mean they could maintain close social ties, participate in regional community activities, and have local on the ground knowledge of their fellow county residents.

Monitoring duties

They would, by good regional policing, be instrumental in supporting the national police service. The national police would not only coordinate with county police on operations, investigations and other matters, but also be independent enough to provide monitoring duties over all police matters in the country. The national police structures would allow the continuation of the various special branches, but would be able to draw upon the local knowledge of the county police when necessary.

I am, etc.,

RAS BENJI

Islanderjoe@netzero.net

Wilmington, DE

Via Go-Jamaica