The Editor, Sir:

I refer to your columnist Dennie Quill's piece on Friday, September 26, titled, 'Awful truth about the police', and your editorial comments the following day. In both instances it was stated that while addressing a public forum and in the presence of police colleagues, I described the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) as a cesspool. I categorically deny making that statement and wish to clarify the issue.

On 18 September, 2008, the Inspectors Branch Board of the Police Federation held a one-day forum entitled 'Raising the Bar II' at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. In attendance were approximately 300 inspectors of police, and their invited guests, including senior police officers, the chairman of the Police Officers Association and the chairman of the Police Federation.

In addressing the theme I challenged the gathering to raise the bar of professionalism, raise the bar of intolerance towards corruption, and raise the bar of service delivery to the public.

Interpersonal relationships

In a wide-ranging presentation, I touched on the matter of interpersonal relationships and the unacceptable and uncaring manner how we sometimes relate to each other as police officers.

It was these unhelpful traits of interpersonal relationships, many of which I listed in my presentation, that I collectively likened to a cesspool.

I reminded the Inspectors Branch Board of the critical role of inspectors of police within the constabulary and charged them to play their part in raising the bar in all facets of policing.

Contrary to your columnist's view that; 'This shocking declaration by the head of the constabulary did not get the media play it deserved, because so much attention was locked on the political drama being played out within the Opposition People's National Party', I submit that it did not get the media play, because it never happened.

I hope that this brings clarity to what I said and the context in which I said it.

A number of other issues were raised in both the column and your editorial which I assure you I have not lost sight of, and which are the subject of much work. I will address them later and in another forum.

In closing, let me declare that the Jamaica Constabulary Force has many challenges, some going back to its very roots. Whatever the force has become, we Jamaicans created it over a sustained period of several decades.

Hard-working and dedicated

The majority of our police officers are honest, hard-working and dedicated to the task of providing professional, citizen-focused policing services.

Unfortunately, there are others whose actions or omissions will continue to portray us negatively in the eyes of the public.

This is par for the course as we ramp up the process of transformation of the JCF and purge ourselves of the impurities of whatever kind that exists.

Will other professions and other areas of national life not only commit to, but embark up a similar programme of purging and healing?

If we do not, we run the risk of descending into one big CESSPOOL.

There are more than enough honest, patriotic and upright Jamaicans capable of saving the country from the ruin. Will they please stand up and be counted?

I am, etc.,

REAR ADMIRAL

HARDLEY LEWIN, CD, JP

Commissioner of Police