Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

MARK SHIELDS will cease being a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) next February.

The Ministry of National Security yesterday said Shields, the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) in charge of the crime portfolio, declined the offer of a one-year extension to his contract, which expires at the end of February, 2009.

"Appropriate steps will be taken to acknowledge DCP Shields' contribu-tion to the JCF and to thank him for his service," stated a release from the ministry.

Attempts to reach Shields for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

Natural progression

However, Dr Peter Phillips, under whose watch as minister of national security Shields came to Jamaica as part of the International Police Officers' (IPO) Programme, said it was in the nature of organisation for people to come and go.

"I think he came, he did service and there will be no doubt time for an evaluation to be made - both of him and the programme as a whole - to see what the benefits, if any, have been," Phillips said.

Contribution to JCF

Shields joined the JCF in 2005, three years after helping Jamaican police investigate the infamous Kraal shooting in Clarendon, involving Reneto Adams and members of the police force.

He had left Scotland Yard to take up the job. A police officer for more than 30 years, Shields was head of City of London Police's special branch from 1987 to 1990.

According to Phillips, Jamaica may have benefited from Shields' tenure.

"Exposure to new systems carry with it potential benefits, but whether those benefits were realised is something that others will have to determine on the basis of the data that is available to them."

National Security Minister, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, said he was not in a position to evaluate Shields' contribution to the JCF.

"I don't do an evaluation of his work. I would have to see an evaluation done by the Commis-sioner of Police because seeing and hearing people is one thing, but when you actually put it in black and white, it is a different thing," the national security matter said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Police Officers' Association, Super-intendent Michael James, said it was unclear what were the terms of engagement for Shields', making it difficulty to access his performance as crime chief.

"There have been calls about whether or not there will be any merit in the renewal of the contract," James said.

Climb in crime rate

Shields has been under fire since the Bob Woolmer foul-up, which embarrassed the country. Similarly, there have been cries for him to do more in addressing Jamaica's crime problem as crime chief. The year after Shields arrived, major crimes fell from 10,693 to 8,965. Murder also decreased from 1,674 to 1,340, but since then, has again trended upwards.

The ministry has said it is reviewing the IPO programme under which four other British officers - Les Green, Justin Felice, John McLean and Paul Robinson have been employed.

Green's contract, which expires on January 15, has come up for review. He has been offered a two-year extension, but is yet to take up the offer.