Montego BaY, St James - Several women from the volatile Flankers community Thursday added their voices to the growing calls against the impending transfer of commanding officer for St James, Superintendent Steve McGregor.

The vociferous, placard-bearing group of women, who at times numbered as much as 30, credited McGregor for making a difference in the community, which has been embroiled in a bitter internal gang feud resulting in the deaths of 31 persons.

"A him mek wi can walk inna the community," said one vocal member of the group, as she and the other protesters hoisted their placards in Sam Sharpe Square at approximately 12:30 pm Thursday. The women had earlier camped out along the newly completed North Coast Highway, at the entrance to the community, before journeying to the square.

Armed with placards bearing slogans such as, "Mr McGregor is a crimefighter. Please let him stay with us" and "Mr McGregor Flankers needs you. Please stay", the women described the Commanding Officer as a different breed of policeman, whom the community could not do without.

"Di likkle one-sided policeman dem wi nuh want," charged another woman who was part of the protest. "With Mr McGregor, the police nuh style wi as nuh gal or nuh bwoy. A Mr dis and Miss dat."

"Who in charge of him transfer?" asked another woman. "They need to reconsider."

Meanwhile, head of the Flankers Peace and Justice Centre, Marilyn McIntosh-Nash, said she was not in support of any demonstration by the residents but lauded McGregor for his work in the community.

"I think he has worked well, as most of his predecessors have," she said in a guarded response to the Observer. "And I wish him the best in whatever role they put him."

She said that while his work in the parish and the community in particular was exemplary, she would not wish to hold him back in the parish, especially if his impending transfer meant further development for the affable cop.

Citizens as well as members of the business sector have been expressing their dissatisfaction with McGregor's upcoming transfer from the parish, where he has served for the last 18 months. He is being transferred to the Motorised Patrol Division in Kingston where he will replace Superintendent Que Morgan.

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