Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to the newly appointed Commissioner of Police George Quallo:

Congratulations on your appointment, Sir. You look the part and I hope you have the heart to control the raging criminals.

On the plus side of policing is the fact that the Government understands the need for long-term approaches. They accepted Dr Headley’s suggestion about using the Jamaica Defence Force to teach young people discipline and structure. As well, the Government is willing to employ the Hold, Clear and Build strategy that the Brazilians have used with success in their urban slums. What they fail to understand is that this is only half the strategy; you have to confront and smash the gangs, or when you hold, clear and build in one area, the gangs will just move their operations elsewhere. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made a mistake when he declared that he does not believe in harsh policing methods, for he thereby gave comfort to the criminals who know that there is no gentle way to deal with “dog-heart” men.

Your force needs to be motivated, and you need to win public confidence. To do the second you cannot continue to be just the fierce-looking guys zipping around in cars. You have to get out and talk to the people in church, in the market, and at the Parent-Teachers’ Association. You should make a monthly broadcast to the nation to tell us what you are doing and you could revive youth clubs.

Your men need some combination of a raise of pay, hazard pay for service in some areas, bonuses for bringing in the bad guys, and/or a Christmas bonus for every man serving. The Police Federation should have an annual awards ceremony to recognise successful crime fighters and peacekeepers and give them the police medal.

Now the long term-strategy is one hand, the crime fighting strategy is the other, and we need both because one hand can’t clap. Tell Prime Minister Andrew Holness and National Security Minister Robert “Bobby” Montague they need to link with Colombian undercover agents to smash the cocaine gangs and work closely with the United States Government and Western Union to smash the lotto men. That is infiltration! You need to have them set up a safe communication method through the army so you get information from locals and then get them a visa to go away. The people don’t trust the police, so things need to improve to get information from them.

What I said about motivating your force is the inspiration, and the end product will be eradication. God help you in your fearful task.

Orville Brown

Bronx, USA

thewriter.brown@gmail.com