ST JAMES, Jamaica – While there are several issues bedevilling the Jamaica Police Federation, the newly elected chairman of the 84-year-old organisation Sergeant Arleen McBean says she is up to the task.

“As a representative, you must have that mindset to navigate because those who have placed the confidence in you will expect you to lead that charge to navigate through all those challenges,” stated McBean.

“As you rightfully say, the rough road. I don’t look at the rough road. I look at the challenges that appear at that particular time and see how best we can all harmoniously navigate together,” the chairman added.

McBean, who is the first female head of the federation, was elected again to lead the organisation five years after she last held the post.

McBean, who will serve a year in office, was selected during an election process which lasted for several hours on Wednesday evening – the final day of the federation’s two-day annual conference held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St James.

Sergeant Lloyd Duncan, who was returned as an executive member and is the welfare officer, was also elected to serve as general secretary for the federation which represents rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The two are part of an eight-member executive which will meet Friday to assign the various portfolio responsibilities. The results will be placed on the federation’s website.

“Well, it is always important to deal with the internal framework. You know, how we can fix things going forward in order to serve our members better,” stated McBean, adding that she felt the federation was currently doing a good job.

“We have had some unprecedented events, but we have to see how best we can navigate through them and see how best we can look at the most innovative ways to create a space and an atmosphere for the rank and file members to serve the citizens of Jamaica as best as possible,” McBean said.

The federation chairman spoke of other challenges that her team will need to address.

“Definitely, we will have to do some analysis of our strengths, our weaknesses and the threats that exist. We will also have to look at how we can improve various areas and also improve on communication and strategies through transformation in representation for everyone, negotiating as best as possible for greatness and striving harmoniously,” argued McBean.

“We also want to motivate with opportunities whilst admiring and advancing the versatility of our members in various areas through the transformational thrust that currently exists,” the chairman added.

Sergeant McBean was first elected to the post in May of 2018, but in January of 2019 she was voted out of office by members who raised issues about her leadership of the organisation. However, the Supreme Court ruled in March of that year that she should be immediately reinstated.

With Wednesday’s vote, McBean replaced Inspector Blanche Codner who was elected chairman in March. Codner replaced Corporal Rohan James who had been at odds with the police high command and was interdicted over remarks he made in July last year at a colleague’s funeral.

When asked if the issue with Corporal James has cast a shadow over the federation, McBean said this could be seen as a test for the federation to deal with.

“I wouldn’t consider it a shadow over the police federation, but it is a test for the federation to see the level of tenacity that we have as representatives, to see the level of unity that exists as a body, to see the level of versatility of the rank and file, and how we can now lead the charge to correct what is happening unitedly, and to see how we can be future leaders and future servants in national security. So, there will always be shadows over organisations that yield success always and we have to be prepared for that,” argued McBean.

In the meantime, McBean refused to comment on a voice note making the rounds on social media in which she is heard clashing with a federation member during a meeting. In the undated recording, McBean is heard calling the member a liar and saying that the blood of Jesus was against the accused.

“The only air I will clear is that I have no comment about it at this time, respectfully,” stated McBean when asked about the matter.