Dear Editor,

The following is an open letter to Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson.

Commissioner Anderson, let me first thank you and the over 10,000 men and women under your command. I am acutely aware of the huge sacrifice members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have to make on a daily basis just to keep us safe and engender a peaceful society.

Commissioner Anderson, I beg you to take a few minutes of your time to reason with me about the Safe Schools Programme in our high schools. Currently, the programme, in my humble opinion, needs to be reimagined and reimaged. There is a chronic shortage of school resource officers (SRO), and some of those that are assigned to the respective schools seem to lack the appetite and aptitude for such a role and function. Some months ago you had indicated that a complement of over 200 SROs would soon be placed in our high schools. How far from ready are they, Commissioner?

If we are going to arrest the prevalence of violence and maladaptive behaviour in our schools, I believe law enforcement has a critical role to play, especially as it relates to our boys. As you are aware, Commissioner, over 90 per cent of violent crimes are committed by males, and the majority of this cohort are youngsters. Therefore, logic would dictate that we focus on our schools.

We are not reinventing the wheel. What I am suggesting is a greater level of police presence and involvement in the operations of our schools. It should not be that the only time children see the police is when a crime is committed. The police must be seen by children as a corrective agent rather than just a punitive force.

How then do I propose that you reimagine and reimage the Safe Schools Programme? I don’t claim to be an expert in law enforcement, but the law of average and probability says that if something has worked before, it can work again. I am recommending that you assign the former director for safety and security in schools, Deputy Superintendent of Police Coleridge Minto, and give him direct oversight of this unit. I believe he is the right fit for this job. And I am encouraging you, Commissioner, to think seriously about it.

I know that, like me, Commissioner, you are a patriotic, decent, and committed Jamaican, and at this stage of your career you must be thinking about your legacy as head of the JCF. If you want history to judge you kindly, get the Safe Schools Programme right.

Despite the negative publicity at times and the challenging crime situation, the modernisation of the JCF, which is well advanced, will surely contribute towards the restoration of a more peaceful and loving society, which is why, Commissioner, the police youth clubs, citizens associations, neighbourhood watch groups, street meetings, and other community initiatives must be accentuated. Our young people must be made to think, believe, and feel that we care for them and care about them.

As a father of two children I have to remind them during challenging times that, yes, I care.

Again, I say thank you for your service to this country and the over 10,000 men and women under your command. I want to thank them on behalf of the law-abiding citizens of Jamaica for their priceless sacrifice and service.

As we enter the Christmas season I know that the demands on the JCF will intensify with each passing day leading up to December 25. I am praying for you and the entire JCF.

Regards to Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, who is doing an amazing job in lifting the communication arm of the JCF to First-World standards.

May God bless you, Commissioner Anderson, may God bless the JCF, and may God bless Jamaica. The word is always love!

Andre’ AO Wellington

Dean of discipline

andrewellington344@yahoo.com