The Editor, Sir:

This is in response to the Martin Henry column.

Dear Mr Henry:

I continue to read your article and articles by other Jamaican writers regarding the crime situation in Jamaica and I am amazed that none of our political leaders, political analysts or social scientists sees the need to raise the social standing of the average policeman and woman in the society as the first step in dealing with the problem.

Respect for security forces in most countries is earned not by the police going around communities showing respect to citizens in the first instance. Respect is earned due to the size of their salary and overall benefit packages.

In Toronto, Canada, the average policeman with a high school diploma and six months training is earning the equivalent of a bank branch manager's salary. After five years in the force, approximately Cdn$70,000 to Cdn$80,000 dollars per year.

Thus, how can we ever expect policemen and women in Jamaica to be respected when they are paid Cdn$6,000 to Cdn$10,000 per year, or a fifth or even less, of what is paid to the average middle-level manager in Jamaica?

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The police federation and some members of the political leadership do not even understand that the practice of police earning a second income outside the force is not professionally acceptable and contributes to the high level of corruption, while diminishing the level of respect for the police in the society.

A well-paid, highly motivated and respected police force must be the financial priority of any government.

It would be interesting to see if there is some sort of link between salary scales of policemen in places like Florida, Barbados and Trinidad and the levels of crime and respect for security forces, compared to Jamaica.

I am, etc.,

ALBERT ELLIOTT

albert@aheinc.ca

President, AHE Inc.