The Editor, Sir:

I hope the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is not even considering Dr Carolyn Gomes' suggestion of using Carey Lyn-Sue as a model in the fight against corruption.

With all due respect, Lyn-Sue would not be a good example and I don't understand what could be the thinking behind the suggestion. If he was imprisoned for, let's say 10 years, then he would be a great model in saying to current members of the JCF 'if you are caught, this is what will happen to you. You will pay'.

You cannot give a man who has ruined someone's life a slap on the wrist and then put him on a pedestal. The message to the JCF would then be that they can do this and they should expect forgiveness.

COMMON SENSE

The thinking might be that Lyn-Sue did the right thing in confessing and he has turned his life over to the Lord. That is all good, but he should not have committed the crime in the first place, and staying clean would have made him a great role model and outstanding member of the JCF. Do we even know how many lives he or his colleagues (not yet discovered) might have ruined? It could have been me or you who was framed.

Common sense dictates that you do not reward people for their wrongdoing. Now, Bishop Herro Blair, as a member of the clergy, I know you would be all for forgiveness and the like. Fine, God has forgiven him and we may forgive him, but that does not mean that he should not be punished. Setting his soul right by becoming a Christian is his personal decision. When he falsified documents that incriminated an innocent man, he was acting in a professional capacity. He may not have been directly responsible to God, but to the head of the JCF and the people of Jamaica whom he swore to serve and protect.

GOING TOO FAR

Let's not take this thing too far. True, there are others who have not come forward like Mr Lyn-Sue and confessed their wrongdoings, but we send the wrong message that if you do, you will be shown leniency. For too long, we have known that there are corrupt members in the JCF and finally they are being exposed and regular citizens can feel that their rights are protected. I expected better, especially, from Dr Gomes who heads a human rights group in Jamaica. Making Lyn-Sue pay for the wrong he has done is not violating his constitutional right.

Was any leniency shown to Jason James who was charged for a crime he didn't commit? What do you say to him for the injustice that he has received?

I am, etc.,

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Patrick City, Kingston 20