McBean ready to tackle challenges head-on
First female PolFed head starts second stint as chairman
Published:Friday | May 24, 2024 | 12:11 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Sergeant Arleen McBean, the newly elected chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, says she is ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.
“I don’t like to say the road is hard. I will use the words ‘the road appears challenging’ because when you say the road is rough, you look at the roughness and you don’t want to navigate through the potholes, and as the representative, you must have that mindset to navigate because those who have placed their confidence in you will expect you to lead that charge to navigate through all those challenges,” said McBean.
She was speaking at a press conference in Montego Bay, St James, on Thursday in the aftermath of her elevation to the chairmanship of the police union representing rank-and-file members.
The final results in the election for the chairmanship of the Jamaica Police Federation read as follows: Corporal P Williams - 50, Constable R Archer - 54, Constable Koy Marriott - 63, Sergeant Lloyd Duncan - 99, Corporal T Thomas - 104, Sergeant Arleen McBean -140.
Speaking in general terms, albeit seemingly mirroring the situation with her predecessor Corporal Rohan James, who is now locked in a court battle with the High Command after he was interdicted for publicly criticising the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) leadership, McBean promised to be tenacious in her representation.
“ … When there are shadows over an organisation, don’t take it as anything bad,” she said. “ … It is something to determine how strong [you are] ... and I have spoken about strength in my speech when I just spoke to the members that strength moves, and I would not consider it a shadow over the Police Federation, but it is a test for the federation to see the level of tenacity that we have as representatives to see the level of unity that exists as a body, to see the level of versatility of the rank and file, and how we can lead the charge to correct what is happening unitedly.”
McBean thanked the Government for its unprecedented level of investment in the construction and rehabilitation of police stations under current National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, saying that what is happening is a first in the history of the JCF.
“I must speak first of the good. There are always presentations on the various repairs done to many stations across Jamaica, and this is an unprecedented level of repairs to police stations. We have never seen that in the 156 years of the JCF’s existence,” said McBean.
Despite the progress, she called for priority to be given to the Barnett Street Police Station in Montego Bay and the Mocho Police Station in Clarendon, where the conditions are said to be extremely challenging.
“All the stations will not be getting that attention immediately, but there are some that we need to look at as a first-phase approach,” she said, calling for even a temporary relocation for cops to a more comfortable space to carry out their duties.
McBean, who previously served a stint as chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, plans to hit the ground running following a planned meeting with her eight-member executive today to sort out portfolio responsibilities.
“We have to do some SWOT analysis of our strengths and weaknesses, the opportunities and the threats that exist … . We also have to look at how we can improve various areas and also improve on communication and strategise through a transformation in representation for everyone, negotiating as best as possible for greatness and [harmony],” she said.