Dear Editor,

As new Commissioner of Police George Fitzroy Quallo was introducing himself to the nation in his inaugural address on Friday, April 28, 2017, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was contending with the horrific and senseless shooting death of one of its own, Constable Leighton Hanson.Like all Jamaicans, I was shocked to see the body of Constable Hanson lying in a pool of his own blood on Constant Spring Road after he had been shot in the head with his own gun by a criminal-suspect who was being handcuffed.This shooting occurred just a day before and several metres away from yet another reckless gun-related incident by a drunken man, who randomly pointed his gun threateningly at unsuspecting motorists.Gun-related crime is an ugly spectre that haunts every one of us in Jamaica. The murder of my son, Khajeel Mais, on July 1, 2011 occurred when a firearm holder fired into the taxi in which my son was travelling. Khajeel died upon arrival at the Kingston Public Hospital. To date, the gun that was used to kill my son has yet to get into the hands of the State.Commissioner Quallo pledged to wipe out corruption in the JCF; however, it seems to me that he needs to start with the sole authorising body that issues licences to firearm holders, the Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA). How much vetting of potential licensed firearm holders is done by the FLA? And why is it that, to date, some 60 per cent of the members of the Jamaica Rifle Association (JRA), all of whom received their licences from the FLA, are yet to comply with the State-sanctioned audit of the JRA?The controversial appointment of the new CEO of the FLA, Shane Dalling, does not augur well for the FLA and the work that needs to be done. Dalling is a former councillor of the Westchester Division of the Portmore municipality, and one hopes there is no relationship here to his appointment.But the task of unravelling the apparent mystery surrounding the presence of three ammunition reloading machines that have been in the possession of the JRA for decades, and which were recently commissioned into use, in clear contravention of the Firearms Act, must be done.Jamaicans must demand to be told what impact, if any, these developments have had on gun crime in the country. The recent launch by the prime minister of the programme HOPE (Housing, Opportunity, Production, Employment) for unattached youths in the 19-24 age-group is a step in the right direction. The plan is to provide educational and job opportunities for these young people who are susceptible to being coerced into or attracted by criminal acts.I welcome the new commissioner and wish him well. I also wish to thank Deputy Commissioner Novelette Grant for her sterling service during the 90 days she acted as commissioner. In one of her final public utterances she questioned the proliferation of bullets at the scenes of gun-related crimes and called for an investigation into this phenomenon. All well-thinking Jamaicans echo this call. 

Friends for one Jamaica

Advocates for Safety, Security and Justice

friends.jamaica@gmail.com