The Editor, Sir:

I understand, but I'm not overwhelmed by police insistence that the next commissioner is best selected from among the present members of the officer corps.

Furthermore, while respecting everyone's personal ambition and natural desire to reach the pinnacle of the profession, I am reluctant to concede to any of them the right to decide who should be in charge. General views may normally be taken into account. however, the constabulary is a paramilitary organisation, not a democratically structured institution to debate and determine the national policies affecting its operations. There is a constitutional process for appointing and dismissing those who join the force, and it is vested in the Police Service Commission.

The people of Jamaica have seen and heard senior police officers telling the constituted authorities how to go about choosing who will command them. Also, there have been veiled suggestions of non-cooperation if they do not have their way. This does not bode well for discipline, and I think it unseemly that they should be making any statement whatsoever on this aspect of their duties. The open display of disgruntlement does them no credit and is more a reflection of the state of disorder and lack of respect that prevails in the country these days.

I believe that it is time to sound an alarm when members of the police force as a group publicly question constituted authority and begin to set out terms and conditions for the appointment of their commissioner.

The Jamaican Constitution, Section 125, empowers the Police Service Commission with the authority to make appointments and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over all members of the constabulary. It says absolutely nothing about taking advice from policemen of whatever rank. It is, therefore, out of order for any of them to be voicing unsolicited opinions and hinting at the negative consequences of ignoring their wishes.

Commissioner from the ranks

There is the argument in favour of a commissioner coming from the ranks. Whatever the merits of this case, the fact is that possibly the finest most effective commissioner the force has ever had was a man who joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force at the officer level. He was later transferred to Nigeria and then to Barbados, before returning here as commissioner. That man, Colonel Reginald Mitchelin, a Jamaican, did not come from the ranks. He commanded loyalty and respect rather than popularity and was able to exercise firm discipline among all those who reported to him. He took the force at a time when its morale and discipline were low, and he left it visibly transformed for the better.

Looking outside of the force may be a gamble, but even among those who concede that there are some aces in the deck, there is the feeling that we'd be better off with a shuffling of the pack - a new deal and a fresh start. A new commissioner must stand out as a brilliant beacon of hope. If this is the view of the Police Service Commission, then let it be. It is their constitutional responsibility; and those who have sworn to serve, protect and preserve law and order must concentrate on doing so without attempting to exert undue influence upon the decision-making process.

I am, etc.,

KEN JONES

alllerdyce@hotmail.com