RJR News has received confirmation that there is disquiet in the officer corps of the Police Force regarding plans by Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin to engage former Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields as a consultant.
Our news centre broke the story on Wednesday night that Mr. Shield's contract expired on May 31 and the Commissioner has asked the Police Service Commission to approve an extension of his employment.
The initial period will be for three months and Mr. Shields will focus on cold cases.
The move is not going down well with high ranking members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
It is reported that some members are upset that the cold case portfolio was not assigned to a senior officer.
When RJR News contacted Chairman of the Police Officers' Association, Superintendent Michael James, he said he was informed of attempts to re-engage Mr. Shields to the Force on a short term contract.
Superintendent James said the Association wants clarification on what will be Mr. Shields' exact role now that he is no longer a member of the Force.
"The Commissioner did advise me that his intention to have Mr. Shields engaged to treat some matters that are outstanding and I have not had an opportunity in a fulsome way to have a discussion with the members of the executive and find out if there are any concerns that they would have at this time," said Superintendent James.
Several officers are also raising concern about the new arrangement and the pay structure for the British cop who came to Jamaica from Scotland Yard.
On Monday Deputy Commissioner Owen Ellington, who was in Charge of Operations, assumed responsibility for the crime portfolio previously held by Mr. Shields.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/18561/26/
Our news centre broke the story on Wednesday night that Mr. Shield's contract expired on May 31 and the Commissioner has asked the Police Service Commission to approve an extension of his employment.
The initial period will be for three months and Mr. Shields will focus on cold cases.
The move is not going down well with high ranking members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
It is reported that some members are upset that the cold case portfolio was not assigned to a senior officer.
When RJR News contacted Chairman of the Police Officers' Association, Superintendent Michael James, he said he was informed of attempts to re-engage Mr. Shields to the Force on a short term contract.
Superintendent James said the Association wants clarification on what will be Mr. Shields' exact role now that he is no longer a member of the Force.
"The Commissioner did advise me that his intention to have Mr. Shields engaged to treat some matters that are outstanding and I have not had an opportunity in a fulsome way to have a discussion with the members of the executive and find out if there are any concerns that they would have at this time," said Superintendent James.
Several officers are also raising concern about the new arrangement and the pay structure for the British cop who came to Jamaica from Scotland Yard.
On Monday Deputy Commissioner Owen Ellington, who was in Charge of Operations, assumed responsibility for the crime portfolio previously held by Mr. Shields.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/18561/26/
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