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Omission or commission
published: Sunday | October 21, 2007
Orville Taylor
It has arrested my attention for the past two weeks since it was reported that the police force was being de-commissionered. The place and legs of senior ranks of the constabulary have been shaking like a jelly dessert that sounds like the departing top cop's first name. There is nothing luscious about the premature retirement of Commissioner Thomas, as both the Police Officers' Association (POA) and the Jamaica Police Federation have expressed regret at his parting. Each day, the 'guess' list increases. However, it is hoped that no foreigners get invited to the party.
After a controversial general election and with local government polls due before year's end, former army man, Director of Elections, Danville Walker, was allegedly one of the early favourites. With one seat still undecided and election-day workers yet unpaid, it is hoped that Danville will not walk out on them. Even if he does, hopefully, he won't walk into the shoes of Thomas.
no power vacuum in jdf
Next, the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) had 'Hardley' announced his own retirement when his name joined the roll. Interestingly, there was no power vacuum or any question about continuity in the JDF. As Rear Admiral Lewin's retirement was announced, it was revealed that Colonel Stewart 'Suundi' Saunders was to succeed him. A big man, Colonel Saunders is no chicken and he has the respect of officers and other ranks. On paper, he is also very qualified, having completed at least a master of science degree.
Of note, he graduated from the same high-quality programme that one of the deputy commissioners of police (DCP) and an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) completed around the same time. These two persons are, I would like to believe, 'front runners' for the post.
Nonetheless, there is a dark cloud pervading the succession debate because there is an implicit argument that there is no one in the senior ranks of the force, capable of taking over the reins.
Perhaps because politicians, without any experience in their portfolio areas, can be appointed to run super ministries, it is felt that a 'stranger' can be superimposed on the force and run it efficiently and effectively. The Jamaica Labour Party was the first to ignore the active senior ranks in selecting a commissioner. Retired ACP Joe Williams was strangely brought back from the catacombs of extinction during the early 1980s.
no panacea
Then, the People's National Party (PNP) grafted Colonel Trevor MacMillan on to the force in the early 1990s. Williams' stewardship is forgettable, but MacMillan was no panacea either, as many policemen and women complained that the ex-soldier was keeping an 'army's' house. He barely improved the image of the force and his appointment demoralised many career police officers.
The PNP, whose posteriors are now stripping from sitting in the unaccustomed Opposition seats, introduced a foreign DCP and ACPs these men are of the highest quality and are working hard, there is no reason to believe that their presence has yet done more good than harm to the morale of the force. Furthermore, the high crime rate is as stubborn as Mr. Barrington Gray, who refused to concede that he has lost the election to dentist 'Decay' Duncan. By the way, Duncan was young bwoy with Joe Williams.
There seems to be a consensus between the main political parties that there is an insidious level of corruption in the entire organisation and that, coupled with the shortage of competence, makes the recruitment of a commissioner from the officer corps an impossible option. One senior PNP politician suggested that the police hierarchy is nothing more than a set of HEART trainees who cannot be entrusted to run a 21st-century corporation such as that which the force needs to be. Who knows? If they are so interested in selecting a commissioner who is spotless, then they can reactivate former DCP Owen Clunie, who retired with a clean record.
It is a dangerous route to import, once again, a commissioner from outside. What is ironic is that the same set of politicians who object to Members of Parliament having foreign citizenship and who are questioning the thousands of work permits to foreign nationals are thinking about engaging an expatriate. Our Jamaican labour laws are explicit regarding the employment of non-Jamaicans.
contracting foreign nationals
Furthermore, according to international labour conventions and principles, foreign workers should not be contracted unless there is no local person suitable available for the job. There is no evidence that is so in this case.
When leaders are being chosen to head organisations, the consideration cannot simply be about their knowledge or expertise. Rather, a major point must be the capacity to consolidate, lead and inspire his/her staff. It is not sufficient to appease the masses who are external to the organisation. Ask the former Prime Minister, she learned this the hard way.
If the new commissioner is unacceptable to the POA or Federation, it can be the source of a legitimate industrial dispute under Section 2 of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act.
The fact is, the Jamaica Constabulary Force needs far more than a symbolic pandering to the private sector and society at large that unfairly believe that our local cops are mostly incompetent and corrupt. The force needs extensive retooling, new equipment, new approaches to training and promotion, and most importantly, a clear sense of direction from the political directorate. Up to this point in time, it is unclear whether the elites fully understand why we are having the high homicide rates. Neither is it realised that attacks on Jamaican police personnel are among the highest in the free world.
Think slowly and choose carefully.
Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
published: Sunday | October 21, 2007
Orville Taylor
It has arrested my attention for the past two weeks since it was reported that the police force was being de-commissionered. The place and legs of senior ranks of the constabulary have been shaking like a jelly dessert that sounds like the departing top cop's first name. There is nothing luscious about the premature retirement of Commissioner Thomas, as both the Police Officers' Association (POA) and the Jamaica Police Federation have expressed regret at his parting. Each day, the 'guess' list increases. However, it is hoped that no foreigners get invited to the party.
After a controversial general election and with local government polls due before year's end, former army man, Director of Elections, Danville Walker, was allegedly one of the early favourites. With one seat still undecided and election-day workers yet unpaid, it is hoped that Danville will not walk out on them. Even if he does, hopefully, he won't walk into the shoes of Thomas.
no power vacuum in jdf
Next, the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) had 'Hardley' announced his own retirement when his name joined the roll. Interestingly, there was no power vacuum or any question about continuity in the JDF. As Rear Admiral Lewin's retirement was announced, it was revealed that Colonel Stewart 'Suundi' Saunders was to succeed him. A big man, Colonel Saunders is no chicken and he has the respect of officers and other ranks. On paper, he is also very qualified, having completed at least a master of science degree.
Of note, he graduated from the same high-quality programme that one of the deputy commissioners of police (DCP) and an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) completed around the same time. These two persons are, I would like to believe, 'front runners' for the post.
Nonetheless, there is a dark cloud pervading the succession debate because there is an implicit argument that there is no one in the senior ranks of the force, capable of taking over the reins.
Perhaps because politicians, without any experience in their portfolio areas, can be appointed to run super ministries, it is felt that a 'stranger' can be superimposed on the force and run it efficiently and effectively. The Jamaica Labour Party was the first to ignore the active senior ranks in selecting a commissioner. Retired ACP Joe Williams was strangely brought back from the catacombs of extinction during the early 1980s.
no panacea
Then, the People's National Party (PNP) grafted Colonel Trevor MacMillan on to the force in the early 1990s. Williams' stewardship is forgettable, but MacMillan was no panacea either, as many policemen and women complained that the ex-soldier was keeping an 'army's' house. He barely improved the image of the force and his appointment demoralised many career police officers.
The PNP, whose posteriors are now stripping from sitting in the unaccustomed Opposition seats, introduced a foreign DCP and ACPs these men are of the highest quality and are working hard, there is no reason to believe that their presence has yet done more good than harm to the morale of the force. Furthermore, the high crime rate is as stubborn as Mr. Barrington Gray, who refused to concede that he has lost the election to dentist 'Decay' Duncan. By the way, Duncan was young bwoy with Joe Williams.
There seems to be a consensus between the main political parties that there is an insidious level of corruption in the entire organisation and that, coupled with the shortage of competence, makes the recruitment of a commissioner from the officer corps an impossible option. One senior PNP politician suggested that the police hierarchy is nothing more than a set of HEART trainees who cannot be entrusted to run a 21st-century corporation such as that which the force needs to be. Who knows? If they are so interested in selecting a commissioner who is spotless, then they can reactivate former DCP Owen Clunie, who retired with a clean record.
It is a dangerous route to import, once again, a commissioner from outside. What is ironic is that the same set of politicians who object to Members of Parliament having foreign citizenship and who are questioning the thousands of work permits to foreign nationals are thinking about engaging an expatriate. Our Jamaican labour laws are explicit regarding the employment of non-Jamaicans.
contracting foreign nationals
Furthermore, according to international labour conventions and principles, foreign workers should not be contracted unless there is no local person suitable available for the job. There is no evidence that is so in this case.
When leaders are being chosen to head organisations, the consideration cannot simply be about their knowledge or expertise. Rather, a major point must be the capacity to consolidate, lead and inspire his/her staff. It is not sufficient to appease the masses who are external to the organisation. Ask the former Prime Minister, she learned this the hard way.
If the new commissioner is unacceptable to the POA or Federation, it can be the source of a legitimate industrial dispute under Section 2 of the Labour Relations and Industrial Disputes Act.
The fact is, the Jamaica Constabulary Force needs far more than a symbolic pandering to the private sector and society at large that unfairly believe that our local cops are mostly incompetent and corrupt. The force needs extensive retooling, new equipment, new approaches to training and promotion, and most importantly, a clear sense of direction from the political directorate. Up to this point in time, it is unclear whether the elites fully understand why we are having the high homicide rates. Neither is it realised that attacks on Jamaican police personnel are among the highest in the free world.
Think slowly and choose carefully.
Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
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