Dr Jason McKay hit the nail on the head in relation to the impending retirement of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mr Fitz Bailey. In fact, Dr McKay, a criminologist and security expert, was even more on point in his comments on the broader issue of professionals with vast experience and knowledge being sent on retirement when they can still make vital contributions to the country.

In relation to DCP Bailey, Dr McKay told our Senior Staff Reporter Mrs Alicia Dunkley-Willis, the veteran cop has given incredible service. “He is a think tank on crime and understanding our judicial system and our criminal justice system, so he has certainly earned his retirement, but I think it is premature,” Dr McKay said.

“I think [for] persons who are in non-combat categories like himself, it is ridiculous to retire them at a set age,” he added

We agree wholeheartedly, and would not be surprised if we learnt that many members of the police force and, indeed, other law enforcers share that view.

As was reported in this week’s Sunday Observer, DCP Bailey will mark his 60th birthday on September 8 and as such will end his four decades of service in the police force on September 7.

Other guardians of the law with whom the Sunday Observer spoke had glowing praise for Mr Bailey. They pointed to his humility, extraordinary hands-on leadership, his accessibility to all, and his love for country which surpasses patriotism.

Ms Claudette Thompson, the acting director of public prosecutions (DPP), told us that Mr Bailey made it a goal to rid Jamaica of criminal gangs and crimes.

“He set himself that target and he worked assiduously in doing so, [and] the reality is he has managed to penetrate the gangs by bringing down their leadership, Ms Thompson said.

The current DPP, Ms Paula Llewellyn, was equally profuse, sharing that Mr Bailey, because of his investigative background, gets in the trenches with his team, shoulder to shoulder.

But even more impressive, and vitally important to the country, is the fact, as outlined by Ms Llewellyn, that Mr Bailey is mentally tough and is not intimidated by anyone.

She pointed to Mr Bailey’s role in the recent Klansman gang trial that resulted in the conviction of 15 members of that criminal organisation, including its leader.

That, we pointed out in this space, was a victory for Jamaica that should encourage law enforcers to pursue people intent on subjecting the country to terror, bloodshed and mayhem.

With that and other major achievements — drug and illegal arms seizures — under his belt, and at this time when the Government has firmly set its sights on ridding the country of gangs, why, we wonder, has no one said to the nation that discussions are being held to retain Mr Bailey’s services? And we are not here talking about on a consultative basis, because consultants generally have little sway in operational matters on the ground.

It seems to us that we are in the process of cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Dr McKay suggests that thought should be given to placing on contract professionals of Mr Bailey’s ilk, individuals who are still mentally sharp and whose experience and knowledge are critical to operations.

Allowing someone like Mr Bailey to go off on retirement at this time, unless it is his firm decision, is tantamount to giving gangsters something to celebrate.