KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, says that as chairman of Parliament’s Internal/External Committee, he has been compelled to ask Police Commissioner, Dr Carl Williams and other members of the high command to report to the committee on their efforts to stem the criminality now engulfing the country.

Smith said that the top cop has been invited to report to the committee by November 10.

In a media release Wednesday, Smith described the murder toll this year, which has surpassed the 1,005 recorded last year, as most disheartening. He said that as at October 19, the murder toll reflected a 26 per cent increase in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

“I have an obligation as chairman of Parliament’s Internal/External Affairs committee to promote optimal levels of performance and accountability on the part of key agents of the State charged with ensuring a safer and more peaceful society,” Smith said.

He added that it is critically important to have the police commissioner and his team account to the nation by reporting to the Internal/External Committee on efforts to curtail the increase in murders and explaining their plan to effectively manage crime in Jamaica.