‘Possibly the most well-liked commissioner’

Lucius Thomas, Jamaica’s 25th commissioner of police, has been hailed as a consummate professional who sought to improve the welfare of junior personnel and retirees.

Thomas, 73, died on Wednesday after ailing for some time.

News of his passing plunged current and former members of the constabulary into mourning.

Senior Superintendent of Police Wayne Cameron, chairman of the Police Officers Association, told The Gleaner that Thomas, a 38-year veteran, had a “balanced” management style that commanded respect.

“He was the commissioner who made it very clear that he has a significant interest in the development of rank-and-file members,” Cameron said.

“That very caring attitude and looking out for his membership, interacting with him, person to person. I recall that he was a very astute gentleman … . He made a concerted effort to get as many of our members elevated, motivated, and interested in their jobs, and as such, he is one of the commissioners that I must say is possibly the most well-liked commissioner,” he added.

Novelette Grant, a retired deputy commissioner of police, also praised Thomas for paying particular attention to the welfare of junior members of the force.

“I remember that at some point, I used to help people with some of their issues, and I would always go to him and say, ‘You have to partner with me in helping out junior members,’ and he never said no. He was always willing, so I know he was admired and appreciated because he was accessible,” said Grant, who retired in 2018,

She said that Thomas’ concern for staff welfare continued even after his retirement when he worked as a special adviser in the Ministry of National Security.

Born in St Ann on March 28, 1949, Thomas was educated at York Castle High School in the parish.

He started his career as a teacher at Murray Mountain Primary School in 1968 before joining the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) the following year.

A Roman Catholic, Thomas was married to Sylvia Lewis and had two sons.

Thomas was inducted into the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2006 and also received a Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service. He was also recognised with a Gleaner Honour Award in 2006.

Thomas had explored running for office in the St Ann North West constituency in 2011 but opted out because of family and health concerns.

In April 2010, he defeated St Ann’s Bay Mayor Ivan Anderson in a contest to gain the right to represent the People’s National Party in the constituency.

While extending condolences to the deceased’s family and former colleagues, Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson said the constabulary would pay due respect to a man who sacrificed much for his country.

“Lucius made a sterling contribution to our nation as commissioner between 2005 and 2007, and even before that, particularly during his service at the JCF Special Branch,” Anderson said via the force’s Instagram account.

“I had the opportunity to travel and work with him on the JCF radio communication project and found him to be quite the gentleman. He was a person who genuinely cared about improving the quality of life of the members and the safety and security of the Jamaican people,”Anderson said.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com