New Police Commissioner George Quallo has promised that strong communication with citizens and the press will be a major hallmark of his tenure as the country’s 29th police chief.

“I am a firm believer in communicating with the people and that is why you are going to see me: On the ground, in your communities, in your towns, in your villages, pon di corna’, as I strive to build a more fruitful relationship with citizens.

“I am going to be with you not only when things go wrong but also to hear of your aspirations and to share your joy. Strong, and robust communication is going to be a trademark of my leadership as commissioner. I am going to find time to listen to as many of my colleagues as possible,” Quallo told the large audience that came to see him installed as the commissioner of police at the Police Officers’ Club in St Andrew, yesterday.

He stressed that the police will build a relationship of trust, cooperation and mutual respect with the media as the main purveyors of information to the public.

“The police, under my watch, will extend all courtesies to members of the media. This is with the common understanding that the public has a right to information. Of course, the media must also be responsible while undertaking their job,” he stated, while also promising to foster a working relationship where ideas are exchanged on how to get better results from colleague officers.

Quallo pledged to wipe out corruption within the police force.

“The JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) is troubled by corruption which impedes our efforts to effectively serve our people. It has to be dealt with urgently,” he said, emphasising, “In order to build trust, in order to defeat the mindless criminals in our midst, in order to gain your confidence, I will not turn a blind eye to corruption. I will lead the continuing fight to remove the stain of corruption from our uniforms, no matter the designated rank”.

At the same time, the commissioner stated his intent to defend the men and women under his watch, in instances where they use justifiable force to protect themselves and the public against criminal elements.

“I make no apologies for taking this principled position. We all can agree that the issues of use of force and people’s rights are contentious ones. I know, particular situations will require that use of force be used, especially against hardened criminals. Yes, at times, the police will, of necessity respond with deadly force,” he told the gathering, which included Prime Minister Andrew Holness, National Security Minister Robert Montague, other State officials, and senior officers of the force, among other interests.

But he also made it clear that the wanton abuse of the rights of citizens would not be tolerated.

Speaking to his crime-fighting strategy, Commissioner Quallo said he will be seeking to develop a culture of proactive policing with a focus on crime prevention by enhancing the police’s intelligence and technological capabilities.

“I commit to ensuring that greater attention and resources are focused on the expansion and improvement of our intelligence machinery. I firmly believe that with better and more calculated intelligence, the quest for preventing crime will be enriched and will find expression in more coordinated and successful responses,” he said.

Commissioner Quallo takes over from Deputy Commissioner of Police Novelette Grant, who acted as police commissioner since January, following the resignation of Dr Carl Williams in December last year. He brings to the office 40 years of experience, having received his first promotion to the rank of corporal in 1985, then sergeant in 1989 and deputy superintendent at the Motorised Patrol Division in 1995.

Quallo has successfully commanded several divisions and was in 2010 promoted to assistant commissioner of police, and headed the Mobile Reserve branch and Area Four headquarters in 2012. In 2015, he moved further up the ranks to deputy commissioner of police, managing all five of the JCF’s area commands across the island, and on April 18 he was appointed to the top job within the JCF.