KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) says the statement issued last night by the Police Officers’ Association has the gravest implications for national security in general and the fight against crime in particular and is calling for Minister of National Security, Robert Montague to resign.

The police officers in their statement referred to a continuous atmosphere of interference in the operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the attendant low morale among the leadership, which now warrant the immediate intervention by Prime Minister Andrew Holness; otherwise the country faces further deterioration into chaos and anarchy.

The PNP argued that the situation of disorder is acceptable to no Jamaican, regardless of their station in life or political affiliation.

“The specifics of the charges laid by the police leadership present a situation of ministerial overreach which is not likely to change. They also reveal a relationship which has been breached at the core,” expressed the PNP.

The Opposition reminded that in the summer of 2017, it warned Montague of his interference when he suggested that the police commissioner should take certain actions to promote police officers to increase the overall morale of the rank and file.

The national security situation, with 1617 murders last year and a record start for 2018 to over 40 in a week, makes it clear that Montague cannot lead this fight and has lost the confidence of the police and the population as a whole, the PNP said.

“The PNP is again calling on the minister to resign with immediate effect and provide the prime minister with a clean page to fight the crime monster.”