Dear Editor,

A few days ago the Minister of National Security Robert “Bobby” Montague commented that the new commissioner of police must come to the job with a plan to address the country’s crime problems that is currently causing widespread havoc in the country, with many murders taking place in western Jamaica.

I thought that it was the minister of national security that should set a crime-reduction policy which would be given to the police commissioner for implementation in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). It is the duty and responsibility of the national security minister and his ministry to formulate an effective and workable country crime-reduction policy and then instruct any serving police commissioner to carry out and implement such policy in the JCF.

Why is Minister Montague stating that a newly appointed commissioner must come to the job with his or her crime policy to address the serious murder and crime problems occurring all over Jamaica? A commissioner of police’s job, duty and function, in the main, is to implement any serving Government’s crime-reduction plans and programmes. It is wrong for Montague to be stating that any new incoming police commissioner should come to the job with his or her crime-reduction policy.

Minister Montague has it all wrong here. Why is he wanting to pass on his ministerial duties, in terms of forming the appropriate crime policies, to the new police commissioner. Where are your crime-reduction plans and policies for the country, Minister Montague? You are the national security minister!

“Trinity” for commish

I am of the considered opinion, after long thought, that retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Keith “Trinity” Gardner, with his long-standing experience in the JCF, with his extensive training in effective crime fighting, intelligence gathering and forensic sciences, both locally and internationally, should be appointed the next police commissioner. He has the necessary experience, knowledge and expertise covering 40 years in the JCF to be a very successful police chief.

I listened to “Trinity” Gardner on a recent television newscast outlining some of the major reasons for the country’s unfolding crime problems and what measures should be taken by the force to cauterise and effectively tackle the crime monster across Jamaica. I was pleased.

I urge Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minster Montague and the Cabinet to consider appointing Gardner the next police commissioner. Jamaica needs a “Trinity” Gardner-type to serve as police commissioner.

Frank Manborde, MBA

Chairman

Little London and Paul Island Development Council

Grange Hill PO

Westmoreland

frankmanborde@mail.com