LETTER OF THE DAY - Advice for new commissioner of Jamaica Constabulary Force
Published:Thursday | January 7, 2010 | 12:00 AM
That all citizens in all parishes must have an identification card, with picture and number.
That all motor vehicles must be registered in the parish where its owner resides and have the initial of that parish on the registration plate, and that this registration is affixed to the vehicle with a seal; and that any vehicle with a broken seal is liable to be confiscated and will become the property of the state.
That the Government establish an infra-red vehicle registration (IVR) system, and that this will be used to monitor the movement of vehicular traffic in the island.
Ask the Government to push for sentencing guidelines being set and enforced for specific crimes - e.g. murder - life in prison without the possibility of parole; serious wounding with intent - 50 years, with no release before 45 years has been served.
That the book be thrown at all members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force caught in corruption and/or extortion as they should be setting example for the nation.
The Editor, Sir:
Please allow me to publish these suggestions to whomever is chosen as the new commissioner of police for Jamaica.
Sir/Madam:
Please let me say that you will have power and respect on assuming this job, so please use it to your advantage. If you do not, you will lose them faster than you got them. You will find yourself no different from other inefficient, non-performing commissioners who have gone ahead of you.
Make changes and make them now. Do not allow the Government to dictate to you. It does not have the responsibility of the commissioner, you do. Let them know that you 'run things'.
Here are some demands to be made immediately:
I know that you are the commissioner and not the government, but remember for you not to be like previous, inefficient commissioners, you need to take the opportunity to use the power you have been given now.
I am, etc.,
ERBERT LINDSAY