Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, Jamaica's new Commissioner of Police, took the first step on his journey to tackle Jamaica's single most daunting task, clamping down on crime.
After meeting behind closed doors with officials from the police force, shortly after being sworn in as Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Lewin made a brief statement.
He first made it clear that all the burning questions related to crime fighting would be addressed by him at a press conference on Thursday.
He insisted that his vision for the country would require changes in the Force.
And Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith conceded that Commissioner Lewin was taking office at a very trying time.
He also expressed relief that members of the force and the Opposition Peoples National Party (PNP) had endorsed the appointment of Rear Admiral Lewin.
There were howls of protest from the Police Officers Association (POA) and the Jamaica Police Federation when it was first announced that the former Army Chief would be the new Commissioner.
They felt the choice of the Police Service Commission would undermine qualified persons within the force.
But late last week both groups backtracked on their stance, claiming that after many discussions, their concerns were properly addressed.
Controversial police officer, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reneto Adams, who was one of senior officer who opposed Rear Admiral Lewin's appointment, said he is willing to work with Rear Admiral Lewin, in the fight against crime.
SSP Adams SSP Adams had applied for the top job, along with several senior police officers, but Rear Admiral Lewin was selected.
Rear Admiral Hartley Lewin is Jamaica's 26th Commissioner of Police and the second Commissioner to come from the military in recent times.
After meeting behind closed doors with officials from the police force, shortly after being sworn in as Commissioner of Police, Rear Admiral Lewin made a brief statement.
He first made it clear that all the burning questions related to crime fighting would be addressed by him at a press conference on Thursday.
He insisted that his vision for the country would require changes in the Force.
And Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith conceded that Commissioner Lewin was taking office at a very trying time.
He also expressed relief that members of the force and the Opposition Peoples National Party (PNP) had endorsed the appointment of Rear Admiral Lewin.
There were howls of protest from the Police Officers Association (POA) and the Jamaica Police Federation when it was first announced that the former Army Chief would be the new Commissioner.
They felt the choice of the Police Service Commission would undermine qualified persons within the force.
But late last week both groups backtracked on their stance, claiming that after many discussions, their concerns were properly addressed.
Controversial police officer, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reneto Adams, who was one of senior officer who opposed Rear Admiral Lewin's appointment, said he is willing to work with Rear Admiral Lewin, in the fight against crime.
SSP Adams SSP Adams had applied for the top job, along with several senior police officers, but Rear Admiral Lewin was selected.
Rear Admiral Hartley Lewin is Jamaica's 26th Commissioner of Police and the second Commissioner to come from the military in recent times.
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