by Jean Lowrie-Chin | Jamaica Observer column | published 15 Sept 2014
I look at every Commissioner of Police with so much
sympathy! Past scenarios have rumours swirling
and before you know it, “Commish” falls from someone’s good graces and the taps
begin to sound. We do hope that Commissioner Carl Williams will be able to
weather the many storms he must face in this rigorous post.
 |
| Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds (right) presents the baton to new Commissioner of
Police Dr Carl Williams signalling the change of command at the installation ceremony yesterday at the
Police Officers’ Club for the new Commissioner. (OBSERVER PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON) |
It is a fact that there are some terrible rogues in
the JCF, but Jamaica should know that those are in the minority. Most of our police officers are dedicated,
hardworking Jamaicans, some of the most courageous and disciplined you would
meet anywhere in the world.
This is why we must never read or listen to the news
in a vacuum. This is why we should ask
probing questions like … why is it that there is an Indecom for wayward cops,
and no similar organisation for wayward politicians? Why is it that a semi-literate can build a shack,
put a cross on it, put on a pastor’s collar and dupe poor people into buying
him/her house and car while they walk miles to church? Where is the church’s version of
Indecom? Why do teachers continue to
resist any form of performance assessment, while police officers must look
sharply at Force orders and are closely scrutinised before each promotion? Who
reviews these top-heavy public boards of directors who attend retreats at posh
resorts, the tab picked up by struggling taxpayers who are treated with scant
regard by the very organisations these boards are supposed to lead?
So you see, my dear reader, that with only so many
column inches and hours of news, it suits many that Jamaica has an official
beating stick – the criticized, vilified police force! Worse yet, we have heard from several
respected, retired officers how they have suffered from the machinations of
corrupt fellow officers, manipulated by even more corrupt politicians. One such distinguished gentleman related how
he was accused of visiting the house of a top politician in an opposing party
when he did not even know where that person lived. Before he knew it, he was virtually
ostracized by the very organisation which he had served with distinction all
his life.
Now, if we really want a Jamaica where ‘justice,
truth be ours forever,’ how can we continue to be so sheep-like in our public
opinion? Every study shows the terrible burden
of crime and corruption on a country’s economy.
On almost every newscast we see the sub-human conditions under which our
fellow Jamaicans are living. This, in a
country with 63 Members of Parliament, 216 Parish Councillors and a hefty
Cabinet of 20. They preside over ministries and councils that are to ensure
that this tiny little rock can be well-run.
Where is the ‘Indecom’ to ask why citizens must have sewage running
through their streets and mountains of uncollected garbage? Who can a poor taxi
man turn to, when potholes send him to the garage to replace expensive parts
almost on a monthly basis?
If you read
Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, ‘David and Goliath’, you will understand why we
can do nothing efficiently under this top-heavy system. That well-aimed
slingshot by a smart and courageous shepherd boy brought down a giant made slow
and foolish by his heavy armour. We need the courage and smarts of a David to
fight this persistent poverty of our people.
Interestingly, I see some promising ‘Davids’, male and female, joining
both the PNP and JLP. Let them not be
drawn into this ‘conspiracy of mediocrity’ that is holding us back. I have coined the phrase ‘conspiracy of
mediocrity’ with good reason, and very soon, it will be the subject of a book
by a wonderful Jamaican thinker.
Yes, we are glad there is an Indecom to help keep
our police officers honest, but let us not believe that this alone will address
the injustice that is enslaving our people.
We wish Mr Williams a successful tour of duty and all other leaders the
courage to step up, so they can withstand the level of scrutiny to which Mr
Williams will be subjecting himself.
Check these comments from the Jamaica Observer wesite - what a country!
Article is on point. All public servants should be made to account
The best INDECOM for wayward politicians is for the electorate to reject them like lightening when they are a failure. Then instead of reaping failure; a bag of empty election promises and a red stripe and or a nanny from a majority of our elected politicians we would be gaining real, constructive and sustainable successes.
Short-sighted at best, ignorant at worst. Voters generally get 2 choices & they have to choose someone. If both choices are not worthy, they still have to choose one. That is the essence of democracy and in many ways adulthood. Grow up!
First of all only a hypocrite, a fool or a callow person would say that two person or two separate organization is the same. No two political party is the same or perform the same way(1). And two(2) to make the best choice and the wise choice one has to compare before choosing. It is as simple as that.
But when we choose based on what we believe or others wants us to believe we can never make the right choice.
There are four(4) beautiful things about choice; and second to life; choice is the next most beautiful thing under the sun;
(1) Anything we choose we have to live with it.
(2) Anything we choose we have to live with the consequences of our choice.
(3) Who we are today is based upon choices we've made in the past.
(4) Who and what we become in the future will be based on choices we are making now.
Choice is critical to human development and advancement so comparing is critical, otherwise we are behaving like fools.
Take that from a blindmice.
Wow- you are certainly not afraid to make a complete fool of yourself, congratulations! Now back to the real world where we actual have a constitution and 2 primary political parties. In that world we vote for either of the representatives in our constituency. We must choose either, cognizant of the fact that if we choose Brother Clarke from the PNP over Sister Jus-Come from the JLP, it may mean that the PNP wins, even though we would really want the JLP to win. But Brother Clarke is an affable man who generally delivers nationally and has consistently delivered for his constituency and for you personally. Who do you vote for?? You see, once you stop your moronic rants and stop being a partisan blind rodent, your idea of one party being better than another or one person being better than another hits reality in the shape and form of our constitution! What say you now dumb mouse??
the best INDECOM for wayward politicians is impeachments laws.
Impeachment only can take place under the USA constitution where you have separation between the president, congress and the supreme court.
Under our UK parlimentary system there is no provision for impeachment.
Well, the essence of democracy is choice.
And people who care about themselves and want what is best for themselves alway compare before choosing.
When people choose based on what they believe or others want them to believe they can NEVER make the right choice.
Did you know that in biology; life on earth is catorigized into two forms: plants and animal.
And of the animal form only three(3) species have sex based on choice, all the rest have sex based on a mating season.
If you don't know and would like to know which three, give me a holla and I will be happy to share.
Why can't the public know the investigative results of each case. The people have a right and interest to know the outcome.
What about the wayward population!!!.
Do you not think then that there should be an INDECOM to control the garbage that is strewn all over the country, "since indecom is the answer" cause it is not only those that you have mentioned needs to be brought under control.
The whole Jamaican society is lawless, even those who said that they are law abiding are just fence sitters, one foot on the good side the other is on the bad side, while some are standing on the fence doing a balancing act.
So, based on your sound-bite assertions that the law abiding is on the bad side, it would appear that you are the only one left standing, of virtue ?. Would you agree ?.
I am not living there, however there is merit to my observation!!
since Wappy kill Phillip I have heard that the rogue,corrupt cops are in the minority.unfortunately it seems in all my life I never met the majority
lol. I hear you. Fortunately, I have & I also know of people including extended family who they have properly kicked out. I have a rasta bredrin from the US who always complain about harassment. This guy is highly educated but does not carry himself as such because he wants to "keep it real". One night we went out and as per usual he got pulled over, however this time I was with him and though a passenger, spoke to the cops. They cut us a break though they could have given us a ticket. After driving off for a bit he said that it was true I was a brown man why I catch a break. I shook my head and said to him that I got a break because I spoke to them in a manner that immediately showed that I was not a dummy and because I begged for a break, further, sometimes it works and sometimes I tek de ticket, shubba mi mouth, and fight it out in court. The point is that even those who aqpproach me in a nasty manner, I generally mek dem cool dem attitude, by my response. On teh other hand, he is instantly offended and carries himself as such. When he receives said attitude in spades from the cops, he thinks its because im black & rasta. I think its because of him.
I am talking about Jamaican cops..I have never met one of those from the clean majority
Southy- a dem me a talk bout to. Had a couple of experiences that could have gone really bad but they did not because I stepped up to the plate rather than making older people who have too many preconceived ideas cause police fi end me! The point is, man to man, if yu deal wid tings pon a certain level, yu frighten fi see how tings work in yur favor. Dealing wid police it work wid it like it golden, and if it don't, then den move to get rid of de curr dem from the safety of yu lawyers bosom.
I also wanted to add that I know there are psycho cops out there; murderers in uniform, but they are in the minority & must be brought to book. I also acknowledge that nuff cops corrupt but like everything in life there are degrees and lines that people will not cross. Tek a money fi a ticket sure, but sell out a witness to a gunman; that in the minority. Both are corrupt, one is dangerous. Not condoning either, merely acknowledging their existence.
Well, it is the majority that rules.
Lovely piece, and I too share your frustration why the public is not demanding better from those who were elected or appointed to serve.
agreed more indecom and less police officers not a bad idea for Jamaica
Oh what conflicting foolishness u write here Ms Chin " it is a fact that there are some terrible rogues in the jamaica constabulary force,but Jamaica should know that those are in the minority" now I have been hearing this argument for the last 40 years,if this is indeed fact, why then don't the majority expose the corrupt minority and remove them from the ranks of the police force. Just yesterday an un-name senior officer quoted in the Jamaica Observer "the extent of curruption in the JCF is unmeasurable", this to me seem more consistent with the view the Jamaican public have of our police force.
Mr Williams can only be successful as COP if he can manage to change the culture of the JCF, which in it self will be a monumental task, because I have absolutely no doubt that the people who appointed him to this post abhorr any major reform, hence their reason for choosing someone whom the current system have cultivated. The commissioner at all time should understand that his greatest responsibility should be to the jamaican people and if he is hindered in any way in the performance of his duties he should come to the people and make his case, no longer should politicians direct nor dictate police work.
I've heard cop said,that: "If it wasn't fi Indecom,mi eat him food". I appreciate Indecome,and recognizes a need for entities such as this.
And if INDECOM nuh perform to the people's satisfaction, wi have a INDECOM fi dem too!
Now, if we really want a Jamaica where ‘justice,
truth be ours forever,’ how can we continue to be so sheep-like in our public
opinion? Every study shows the terrible burden
of crime and corruption on a country’s economy.
On almost every newscast we see the sub-human conditions under which our
fellow Jamaicans are living. This, in a
country with 63 Members of Parliament, 216 Parish Councillors and a hefty
Cabinet of 20. They preside over ministries and councils that are to ensure
that this tiny little rock can be well-run.
Where is the ‘Indecom’ to ask why citizens must have sewage running
through their streets and mountains of uncollected garbage? Who can a poor taxi
man turn to, when potholes send him to the garage to replace expensive parts
almost on a monthly basis?
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