Lewin supporting under-pressure police commissioner

Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams is receiving the support of one of his predecessors amid an escalation in murders across the island.

Former Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin also has some advice for dealing with the crime wave.

Since the start of the year, more than 920 people have been killed across the 19 police divisions, an increase of just over two percent when compared with the similar period last year.

In St James alone, police statistics show that over 200 persons have been killed since the start of the year, the second straight year the parish has recorded over 200 murders.

But, speaking at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum today, Lewin said Williams’ task is extremely difficult because of the pressures that come with the job.

He says to effectively tackle crime in the various areas, the Jamaica Constabulary Force must be structured to resolve issues at the local level.