Dear Editor,

“We want McGregor! Him set the trend and a bring back the peace inna West Kingston,” one woman shouted as they demonstrated against the removal of the superintendent. I attended one street meeting of Superintendent Steve McGregor some time ago in Kingston East and what I gathered from his approach is that he gets people to police themselves by allowing them to see the good in behaving a certain way.

Subtle collective punishment was also integrated in his approach. He has the skills of any inner city don, but he uses a holistic approach, understanding the culture and a way of life of the people. Simply put, he is a tough pragmatist cop.

The transfer being undertaken of McGregor to St James may be just a sign of desperation, what is really needed is an intensification of community policing; taking time like any successful politician to know and understand the needs of the people so one can become a friend and reliable confidante of the people. Otherwise, we are constantly chasing our tails.

Introduce home-grown district constables, especially in the rural areas, as part of the solution. As being indicated from the demonstration mounted by West Kingston citizens against the transfer of the superintendent, it is not a good idea to shift people all over the place, worse when place as they are in building process with a community. The Jamaica Constabulary Force should think about this.

By the way, who was understudying Mcgregor or Reneto Adams, or is there a handbook to guide cops working in the inner cities?

Michael Spence

Kingston 6

micspen2@hotmail.com