Dear Editor,

Last night I listened to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Clifford Blake responding to questions from Andre Earle and callers on RJR‘s programme Balancing Justice.

I wish to commend Earle, the host, and DCP Blake on their performances in choosing the questions and responding with forthrightness. This is the first thing I took from the programme.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has many challenges as its members fight the big crime monster day to day. The turnover among the JCF members has created a shortage of approximately 3,000 officers. DCP Blake made a short comparison of our Caribbean neighbours with Jamaica as it relates to the ratio of one police officer to 100,000 citizens. We are disadvantaged. Remuneration is the main culprit.

The JCF is plagued by the issue of inadequate resources like vehicles and technological tools in helping to fight crime. The criminals have no shortage of the resources, including high-powered weapons, vehicles, cash, and they are more sophisticated now than they ever were in creating mayhem.

The JCF is the first line of defence against these domestic enemies. It needs to be equipped with the resources necessary to protect the country.

Others have called for a new commissioner from another country, foreign assistance, complete restructuring of the JCF, among other things. I agree. Let’s restructure the salary scale for police officers. Let’s invest in our own. We have capable, intelligent, honest men and women in the JCF with excellent character. Let’s equip the police force with the resources it needs to get rid of this crime monster.

Joseph Christie

gingerejc@hotmail.com