The Editor, Sir:

The appointment of a commissioner of police is constitutionally by the Police Services Commission (PSC) to protect the independence of the office from political flavour. This imposes a duty on the Services Commission to act with transparency and integrity.

On October 18, The Gleaner editorial titled 'Unseemlyinappropriate behaviour' stated that the agitation by members of the Police Officers' Associaiton in trying to strong-arm the PSC does not augur well for general discipline.

The Thomas contract ends in 2009. It is reasonable to assume that either the JLP will not work with him or he will not work with the JLP. If The Gleaner sources are true, was Col Lewin at the time of his retirement made aware of the availability of the commissioner post and if so who told him?

If The Gleaner sources are right about approaches to both Lewin and Walker and the short-listing of others, what is the purpose of the advertisement by the PSC? If The Gleaner believes its source to be creditable, it is the ad by the PSC that should be deemed inappropriate.

If The Gleaner sources are true about the Government's involvement, it would defeat the mischief which the Constitution is aimed at preventing by giving PSC such power.

The Editor has to be mindful that the POA is the worker representative just like a trade union, the voice of those it represents and should not be deemed indisciplined for performing its duty

The PSC should ensure that at the end of the process, its integrity is intact and justice must not only be done but should be manifestly appear to the public.

I am, etc.,

JOHN MATTHIAS

jmatthais@yahoo.com

Spanish Town PO

Via Go-Jamaica