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I wonder if the Newsletter would have called for the PM's
resignation?
Observer Editorial: No learning curve for police commissioner
Thursday, June 05, 2008
We are willing to admit that our Sunday Observer editorial calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin might have brought to a head the untenable situation regarding the leadership of our security apparatus.
For that we have not a single ounce of regret.
Those who do not know it yet must understand that this newspaper will always remain firmly on the side of what is in the best interest of our country and we will call it as we see it.
With the wanton slaughter of Jamaicans right across the length and breadth of the country; the vicious slaying of women, children and, yes, police officers; the pall of fear and tension gripping the nation and the apparent paralysis among the security forces, we could not sit back as a responsible newspaper and not say anything.
The resignation and subsequent change of heart by Rear Admiral Lewin must be seen in a very specific context. Frankly, we hope that he is fully convinced that he is the right man for the job. For if he is not, then we would only be tinkering with the crime problem, while our people continue to be mowed down at will by seemingly deranged gunmen and criminals.
It would not be Jamaica if we did not hear irrational carpings about special interests being behind the call for Admiral Lewin's resignation. No one needs to have any doubt about our interest in the matter. It is for the security of the nation. We guess that those who have already lost their lives are not among the "special interests" as defined by the critics, but we beg to disagree. Since they can no longer speak for themselves, we will presume to speak for them, but even more so for those Jamaicans who are defenceless and cannot utter their criticism from safer, foreign climes, far from marauding gunmen.
No institution in Jamaica is more supportive of a commissioner of police - whether it be Hardley Lewin, Lucius Thomas, Francis Forbes or any other - than the Jamaica Observer. We want only the most suitably qualified, experienced and courageous person with leadership skills in the job.
Given the terror assault on our country, there is little or no time for a learning curve. The last six months have seen nearly 700 murders. We believe that an effective leader signals the impact he or she will have from the very outset. That we have not yet seen of the new commissioner.
For us, it is not a personal matter. We want more than anything else for Commissioner Lewin to be successful in bringing down crime, and murder especially, to tolerable levels. And as we have said time and again in this space, crime is everyone's problem.
Further, we wish to make the point - and it is critical - that now that Commissioner Lewin has withdrawn his resignation, we cannot and must not return to the status quo. Those who prevailed upon him to change his mind, especially the members of the Police Services Commission, cannot leave it to him alone.
We are aware of the power play that went down and we wish to caution those who would trifle with the safety and security of the nation. Know this: If the police commissioner fails, it is not he alone. His failure will be shared by those who only have verbosity to offer.
But worse. It is the people of Jamaica who will pay. with their lives.
Observer Editorial: No learning curve for police commissioner
Thursday, June 05, 2008
We are willing to admit that our Sunday Observer editorial calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin might have brought to a head the untenable situation regarding the leadership of our security apparatus.
For that we have not a single ounce of regret.
Those who do not know it yet must understand that this newspaper will always remain firmly on the side of what is in the best interest of our country and we will call it as we see it.
With the wanton slaughter of Jamaicans right across the length and breadth of the country; the vicious slaying of women, children and, yes, police officers; the pall of fear and tension gripping the nation and the apparent paralysis among the security forces, we could not sit back as a responsible newspaper and not say anything.
The resignation and subsequent change of heart by Rear Admiral Lewin must be seen in a very specific context. Frankly, we hope that he is fully convinced that he is the right man for the job. For if he is not, then we would only be tinkering with the crime problem, while our people continue to be mowed down at will by seemingly deranged gunmen and criminals.
It would not be Jamaica if we did not hear irrational carpings about special interests being behind the call for Admiral Lewin's resignation. No one needs to have any doubt about our interest in the matter. It is for the security of the nation. We guess that those who have already lost their lives are not among the "special interests" as defined by the critics, but we beg to disagree. Since they can no longer speak for themselves, we will presume to speak for them, but even more so for those Jamaicans who are defenceless and cannot utter their criticism from safer, foreign climes, far from marauding gunmen.
No institution in Jamaica is more supportive of a commissioner of police - whether it be Hardley Lewin, Lucius Thomas, Francis Forbes or any other - than the Jamaica Observer. We want only the most suitably qualified, experienced and courageous person with leadership skills in the job.
Given the terror assault on our country, there is little or no time for a learning curve. The last six months have seen nearly 700 murders. We believe that an effective leader signals the impact he or she will have from the very outset. That we have not yet seen of the new commissioner.
For us, it is not a personal matter. We want more than anything else for Commissioner Lewin to be successful in bringing down crime, and murder especially, to tolerable levels. And as we have said time and again in this space, crime is everyone's problem.
Further, we wish to make the point - and it is critical - that now that Commissioner Lewin has withdrawn his resignation, we cannot and must not return to the status quo. Those who prevailed upon him to change his mind, especially the members of the Police Services Commission, cannot leave it to him alone.
We are aware of the power play that went down and we wish to caution those who would trifle with the safety and security of the nation. Know this: If the police commissioner fails, it is not he alone. His failure will be shared by those who only have verbosity to offer.
But worse. It is the people of Jamaica who will pay. with their lives.
WoW!
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