It doesn’t take only more guns, vehicles to solve crime
SUB-OFFICER in charge of the Castleton outstation in the St Mary Police Division, Sergeant Christopher Ward is calling on whoever takes on the job of commissioner of police to lobby for legislative changes that will result in harsher punishment for criminals.
Former Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams retired from office effective January 6. Deputy Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant has since been given the reins to act until a new commissioner is identified. The process is expected to take 90 days.
“I would advise the next commissioner to engage the Minister of National Security [Robert Montague] in finding suitable legislative mechanisms. I personally believe that if minor crimes are severely punished that will stand as a deterrent for the major crimes. That is really one of my strongest recommendations,” Sergeant Ward said.
Additionally, he said greater emphasis should be placed on community policing with more resources being “pumped” into it as a means of reducing crime.
“It won’t work everywhere but I think that we will achieve more if my advice is implemented,” he continued.
Sergeant Ward stressed that current legislation are insufficient and argued for, if not new legislation, amendments to existing ones to put a significant dent in crime.
He said with the existing sanctions, criminals are not made to pay “dearly” for crimes committed.
“Technology is also another area of challenge with the force. The force needs to be more technologically inclined and driven. Of course, resources are really lacking, but for me it doesn’t take more guns and vehicles to solve the crime problem. We need that, but there’s so much more that can be done in terms of technology,” Sergeant Ward stressed.
The lawman said one improvement could be the electronic filing of reports at all stations across the island.
“There was a programme launched in Mandeville where the e-diary started, but it has not rolled out across Jamaica.
“We’re not connecting right across the island [because of this]. For example, if we hold somebody here from Portland or wherever, when his information credentials is taken and he is interviewed that should go into a database; he’s a rapist, so when he comes here we have that record.
“We need a registry for offenders,” he lamented.
— Kimone Francis
