Dear Editor,

I just read a report that said that security expert Robert Finzi-Smith and Minister of National Security Robert “Bobby” Montague were against the dismantling of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and that “disbanding the force is unrealistic”.

The report implied that there are “professionals” who are providing help to criminals under the cover of darkness and behind closed doors. If that is so, law-abiding Jamaicans have cause to be very concerned. However, isn’t aiding and abetting anyone attempting to commit a criminal activity an offence? And, aren’t those with such knowledge required to act to ensure that the necessary evidence is handed over to the police for investigation, so charges can be laid? And, isn’t the failure to bring such cases before the courts an abject failure on the part of our police to do their appointed duty?

In addition, it cannot be defamatory to name such professionals and to post their pictures along with their egregious deeds. Or is this just the typical rum shop talk which is often espoused on bar stools?

It worries me that it appears so easy in our country to make fictitious claims in order to pass the buck of responsibility or failure to others. It is nonsensical to argue that because Jamaican society is allegedly corrupt it is acceptable to condone a corrupt police force.

We expect our law enforcers to maintain high standards of integrity and serve as an example to others by ensuring enforcement of the law where necessary. Can the Jamaican police force admit that they are serving their country by following these high standards?

Colonel Allan Douglas

alldouglas@aol.com