Promise is a comfort to a fool
Dear Editor,
The Jamaica rural police (district constable) has been an important part of the Jamaica Constabulary Force since it was founded on May 16, 1899. Today, very few people seem to recognise the important role we play in the fight against crime and the enforcement of law within this country.
After over 117 years, we have served this land with great commitment and dedication, but yet it seems our effort doesn’t matter to anyone. For the past decade we have been asking the Government of Jamaica for a pension scheme that would see us getting some benefit when we reach the years of retirement. All we have got are promises and praise, and nothing more.
In 2010, the then minister of national security promised that he would push for a pension scheme for us. This was reported in the press (jis.gov.jm/government-agrees-to-pension-plan-for-district-constables/), and still today there is none.
In December 2015 Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller promised us that on April 1, 2016 the district constables would become pensionable. Again the press reported on it (news.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20151204/district-constables-get-pension-benefits-april). Today we are still not pensionable, and we have not heard a thing about it.
This leaves one serious question, are we really serious as a society about reducing crime and making reforms to improve law enforcement in this land? For, if so, it is obvious that the powers that be should be looking in the direction of modernising and improving every component of the security forces, and in this regard the district constables would be included.
If we are to have an effective police force that can seriously control crime in our country today, every member would have to be properly trained and well respected by both the powers that be and the general public. It is pointless to have a part of our security force treated with no regard, and yet it is expected that we should give 100 per cent at all times in the interest of our country.
But after all is said and done, a promise is truly comfort to a fool.
District Constable
districtconstablegroup@gmail.com
