St James needs more than transfers to solve crime
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) believes that the transfer of top-level police personnel is insufficient in curbing the crime situation in St James.
The party’s leadership in the parish said it has taken note of Derrick Champagnie’s replacement with SSP Steve McGregor as head of the division in the aftermath of the recent quadruple murder in Richmond district, St James.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Minority Leader and former Mayor Charles Sinclair said, “We view this transfer as part of the operational functions of the JCF and is in no way opposed to any transfer within the organisation.”
Sinclair added that the transfer of senior officers “appears to be the only response that the JCF has ever implemented whenever there is a spike in murder without making revolutionary and meaningful adjustments to the organisation, including physical and human resource capability within the parish.
“We may ask what has really changed in the organisational structure or operational practices in Saint James since SSP McGregor was last here as the divisional commander?”
The return of SSP McGregor will represent his second tour of duty in the parish, noted the JLP.