Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer
( L - R ) HEATH and SEMAJ
IF SOME influential officers in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have their way, members of the 141-year-old institution and its auxiliary could soon be sporting a new look, specifically, redesigned uniforms.
"... It is one of the things we are seriously looking at - finding ways and means to look at the symbols of the organisation, to help to build this new image that we are about building," explained Assistant Commissioner of Police Delworth Heath, who is in charge of training.
If introduced, this would represent a mini revolution in the tradition-bound force.
Characterising the present uniforms as relics of the colonial era, ACP Heath reasons that "each time people see it I'm certain it still represents some of what the traditional force repre-sented before we started to modernise".
ACP Heath is quick to assert, however, that the police are bent not only on cosmetic changes, but are seeking to improve the force in substance.
Speaking on the Power 106 programme 'Breakthrough', he highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of entrants into the force or members to make them ready for the challenges of 21st-century policing - Graduate Entry Programme; Internal Graduate Development Programme; and the Accelerated Promotion Programme.
EVOLVING IMAGE
Psychologist Dr. Leachim Semaj is in full support of the proposed change of uniform, arguing that it is in keeping with the evolving image of the police force.
"You can also transform from the outside; the physical can transform the psychological," he said.
Furthermore, according to Dr. Semaj, "The concept that the red seam and blue seam (colours of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Island Special Constabulary Force, respectively) connote a negative image, one that cannot be ignored, so it has to be a positive move to have a change."
Additionally, he contends, the present uniforms are more ceremonial than practical.
"In colonial times the police had a more ceremonial look. If you look at the Swiss Guards (at the Vatican) and the guards at Buckingham Palace, they are really ceremonial in look, not designed for practical work, and to a certain extent our police uniforms have retained that look," he said.
