File photos
LEFT: Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and his wife Tessa Lewin.
RIGHT: Peter Brady and Hardley Lewin relaxing at sea in 1986.
The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend.
- Henry David Thoreau
Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin was appointed police commissioner on December 17, 2007. As Jamaica's 26th commissioner of police and the second commissioner to come from the military, he has the tough and challenging job of reining in Jamaica's escalating crime rate.
He brings to the job 36 years of experience in the Jamaica Defence Force, where he served in the Coast Guard and rose to its highest rank of Rear Admiral, and then as Chief of Staff of the JDF in the last five years prior to being appointed Commissioner of Police.
Known for his tough stance on reining in corruption in the force, he has had some success following the arrest of a number of policemen on corruption charges within less than a year of taking charge of the police force. One of his first tasks as commissioner was to sign and promulgate the anti-corruption plan for the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
One who regards his service in the military as a calling, he entered the JDF at age 17, while attending Ferncourt High School. His professional training and education spans the US Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard and Royal Navy establishments. He holds a postgraduate diploma from Dalhousie University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of the West Indies.
His decorations include Commander of the Order of Distinction, Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service, General Service Medal and the US Coast Guard Public Service Medal.
Commissioner Lewin names retired Lt Commander Frans David Hall as one of his best friends. Frans is the founding partner of Security Advisory and Management Services Limited, which provides security consulting, management and investigating services, including security and export inspection procedures and certifications for shipping lines and local exporters. The company is the only one of its kind in Jamaica.
In this week's feature, Frans shares interesting insights about Commissioner Lewin, including the fact that he is a skilled and avid yachtsman and has participated in several international yacht races.
How did you meet Commissioner Hardley Lewin, and how long have you been friends?
Hardley and I met at a JDF Officers' Selection Board in October 1971. I was in sixth form at Jamaica College at the time and he was at Ferncourt. We were one of three (John Prescod being the other) who were selected for the army. We were interviewed on the Friday and were enlisted the following Monday. We went to Newcastle, where we stayed until January 1972 when we left for the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England. We spent the year in college and at sea touring Scandinavia, England and Denmark as part of our training.
On December 18, we completed the training, returned home and reported to the JDF in January 1973. We were both attached to the Delta Company and we spent about two months there, then we were posted to the JDF Coast Guard. From then on we spent most of our time at sea as sea officers until we were appointed captains in the mid-70s. Hardley left the JDF some time later to pursue training in commercial maritime, but we kept in touch until he returned in 1980. I was posted at that time at the JDF headquarters and he went to the Coast Guard.
Hardley and I spent a lot of time travelling at sea together. Our exploits during our single years are best left unsaid, but we would always be out doing something together. He is godfather to my eldest daughter, and was present at her birth in December 1979 as I was in England at the time. I left the army in March 1987 and we continued to keep in touch.
Tell us what you admire most about him, and why you think you have remained friends all these years.
He is a man of his word, who stands by his convictions. We may disagree on some issues but his integrity is unquestionable. He is a firm disciplinarian and people tend to mistake his benevolence and caring for weakness.
I also admire his commitment and steadfastness to any job at hand. When he was considered for commissioner, I told him that it wouldn't be easy, but I knew he had the confidence and the will to do it. Some people may question it, but he knows about crime and its effects, as his mother was murdered by gunmen in the 1980s. It was a very sad time for him.
Our professional outlook and our frankness are similar. However, he thinks before he acts while I tend to be impetuous. There is constant ribbing between us, and if he calls me in the middle of the night I am there.
Tell us something interesting about him.
He is a skilled and avid yachtsman and has participated on several legs of yacht races around the world. He is also an avid reader and is very much into local culture, especially Rastafarianism. He grew up in Ocho Rios where he had close ties to the Rastafarian brethren there, and he still follows the faith and the activities of the Rastafarian community. It used to be quite a sight to see the Rastafarians in their full regalia coming to camp to see him and to supply him with root tonics. He still gets his regular supply of tonics, although I don't know if he uses it.
What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?
We talk about the state of the nation, current events, professional business, general topics, family and personal things.
Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.
When the time came for the appointment of a chief of staff for the JDF, some of his close friends gathered together at the officers' club to hear who would have been selected.
While we waited, it was the first time I had a strong drink in 20-something years. When we heard he was selected, it was a proud moment in my life, even though I wasn't the one appointed. I felt we had been on a long journey together and that something had been accomplished out of all of that. I was proud of him, I still am, and anything that he needs to help him succeed I will do it.
Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of him, and why.
Steadfastness ... anything he takes on he's committed to it from beginning to end, and he will see it through no matter what the obstacles. Fair-mindedness is another word that comes to mind. He will give you the benefit of the doubt no matter the tangible proof that may be presented.
What are his favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?
He loves tripe and beans and cow foot ... you would always see him in camp whenever they are serving these. He also loves to eat birds. Every bird season I hunt them and he eats them.
He is into all types of music. He has a wide collection, including classical music.
He is into sailing/yachting and he plays squash regularly.
Tell us the colour that you associate with him:
Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget
Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend
Red - signifying someone you really love
Green - signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life
Green, yellow and orange ... I maintain a small circle of friends for whom I will go out of my way, at any time, to do anything for, and that's how I feel about Hardley. We are still close, although we are separated by work, and we connect at least twice per week, whether face to face or on the phone. He is a good friend and I would do anything for him, and I am certain the feeling is mutual. We have had a long journey and ours is a friendship established for life.
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