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Ellington reiterates commitment to weeding out bad cops

Alesia Edwards

Saturday, September 04, 2010

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Commissioner of police Owen Ellington has reiterated his commitment to booting errant policemen and women from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

"Many people have said in the past that the commissioner's hands are tied, him need more power. I don't need any more power. I need less if anything. There are many ways in which bad policeman can be removed from the organisation," Ellington told the closing session of the 67th Annual Joint Conference of the Jamaica Police Federation in Ocho Rios on Thursday.

Commissioner Ellington said divisional commanders have already been instructed that police officers with a record of indiscipline, dereliction of duties and disrespect to any individual, should undergo comprehensive revision when they come up for re-enlistment.

"If we take this seriously, if it will work, in five years time we can cleanse this police force," Ellington said.

"The simple fact of the matter is that supervisors were unwilling to report on them and document and bring forward each issue of [indiscipline] and when it came to another level, leaders were too sympathetic to bad behaviour, " Commissioner Ellington added.

He said he was never in doubt about the ability of any commissioner to get rid of people not fulfilling the purpose of the force.

"At some other level, commissioners could be persuaded to give this man a chance, because him have how many kids in school, or him recover some guns already ... it's kind of different with me and the good news for you is I won't be commissioner for life," Ellington said.

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COMMENTS (14)

Xavi Singh
9/4/2010

So all this talk of clean force, is mere lose argument, like when Lewin came out and echoed a similar sentiment.If the police are not well paid, corruption will increase, as the criminals, who rake in big bucks can always buy them out.In one move, they can offer the police more than their months salary, to just see them safe passage with their illegal activities, or give them info on critical operations e.t.c.Police should be well paid, look how one drowned trying to catch thugs.

Xavi Singh
9/4/2010

You have to weed out the corrupt politicians first.Because most of the police are corrupt because of their pay. If the police where well paid, by nx yr, 85% of corruption would cease. Police, nurses and teachers, in my opinion should get the best pay.Unemployed Ex policemen will be a nightmare, they know how the system works and how the law enforcers think.They'll form their own network and get around it easily, look how many are in crimes, like a robbery recently.

Anthony Everton
9/4/2010

Mr. Ellington is a true professional and I know he will do his utmost to get rid of corrupt policemen who sell bullets, rent guns, act as hitmen for corrupt businessmen, murder men who deal with their girlfriends, alert their gunman friends when a operation will take place in their areas, provide escort to drug convoys, pressure motorists for money, plant weapons on innocent victims, take bribes from all and sundry, give away police informants and witnesses... etc.

Richard Edwards
9/4/2010

Mr Commissioner sometimes when you guys talk I sense that there is a disconnect the brain and the vocal apparatus. Just to remind you sir, from you took office you have been beating this same drum about weeding out corrupt cops from the force, can you tell us how, becuase of you can acheive that sir, beleive it or not a big chunk of the crime probelm will be solved, but it just seems like all talk. Just my opinion.
R.Edwards. NYC
betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

justice justice
9/4/2010

Mr. Ellington, U need to join Mr. Wilson & put pressure on the Gov to clean house . As long as we have these leaders there can b no long term change to the Police Force r society bcas these leaders r the production plant, a new set of Corruption is following close behind both in the force & society.

Nicolas Henry
9/4/2010

Be he careful. You can't weed them out overnight. Too many unemployed expolicemen with weapons training and intelligence, could become a nightmare for law enforcers. Maybe you need to look into the background of the division commanders, sometimes the corruption starts there. Try to look up what happened in Mexico, when they fired many corrupt policemen.

Chuck Emanuel
9/4/2010

It is imperative to continue to weed them out. Develope a culture within the Force where all suspicious activity by Members within is monitored, reported, investigated and resolved timely. Every officer of the Force must file incident reports within 72 hours of determining suspicious activity.

Phillip black
9/4/2010

It was only a matter of time before he started this nonsense.He was Mcmillan side kick when he Mcmillan started this .Where did it put him?out.He is going to play right back in the hands of criminals'He must concentrate on giving his men full support other than focussing on getting rid of them.Mcmillan tried and it took the country in the worst voilence ever big time.I hope he would remember this

Eagle Eyes
9/4/2010

I am deflated to know that members of the JCF can be wishing for CHANCES for themselves AND SQUADDIES in aligning themselves with criminals.Have they considered that their association, which leads to info to these criminals could lead to the MURDERING of another officer? And I mean "AN OFFICER" if you get what I mean. These selfish wolves in sheeps' clothing should be thrown to REAL WOLVES. Give any such request not a chance in hell Mr. Commish. They should be ashamed to call themselves POLICE.

Yard Vibz
9/4/2010

Hip-hip hooray! I always knew you were the one who travels with the weed-wacker, Sir. Elli. Your most recent predecessor, Lewin, had made several attempts to pursue similar feat, but his own crew-members, out of maliciousness, had punctured his vessel & disembarked from same in the middle of the night. Mr. Elli should be careful of the house enemies, because internal conflicts are the most difficult to be resolved. Also,some of the dirty cops have great influence that could turn him into Lewin.

Maude Cooper
9/4/2010

Whether it be assumption or precision will not change the belief of many, (self included) that in the past the JCF lacked a certain amount of freedom in their quest to detain known criminals. For over the past 30 years crime had speedily risen with minimal accountability, until all of a sudden the Dudus farce made it seemed as if the JCF had awakened from a long slumber. I am pleased to say that you seem to be the right man for the job, our man Mr. Commissioner, with the clear understanding that power or too much of it can be dangerous even in the best of hands. And when you are done with being commissioner you may want to try running for the top office. Keep up the good work JCF thank you.

Ras Alonso
9/4/2010

Well we all hold this commissioner to his words and we look forward for that day when the bad eggs in the police force are removed and new comers persuaded from illegal activities. This is a step in the right direction.

Stephen Fox
9/4/2010

Commissioner, I support your efforts to reform the police force. The nation sorely needs a reliable and credible force in these times of incredible political behavior by our government.

victor charlie
9/4/2010

Hello there,yes you mr tough talking commissioner it is all good to get rid of indicipline in the force sir,i support you on that but sir i hope you are been just in your judgement and in getting rid of people from the force,remember some r first time offenders and some make genuine mistakes,take people suffering into consideration after they are booted.sir remember you have gotten many second chances in life.god is the greatest and he gave people many second chances.be merciful on others sir.

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