The newly appointed Minister of National Security Senator Dwight Nelson, hopefully, will make a big difference in bringing the Jamaican police force into the 21st century.

Understand the culture

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Senator Nelson and the police executive is to develop a police organisation that can effectively recognise, relate and assimilate the shifts in our culture towards our police force in Jamaica.

Changing community expectations, workforce values, government arrangements, technological power, policing philosophies and ethical standards must be understood and constructively managed by the current and incoming generation and chief executives of our police force in Jamaica.

The newly appointed minister should now carefully select a team of 'local police officers' who understand the mindset and the culture of our home-grown criminals.

To understand the commitment necessary in order to serve successfully as a chief of police in Jamaica, I think one must have a burning desire to do so and must have had a successful career serving as a police officer in the Jamaican police force.

Having idealistic leaders at all levels of our police force will move each department forward and beyond.

One must remember that leadership has two components - personal and organisational. Success over time will demand knowledge of and commitment to both.

Speak out

As a nation, we all have a duty and an obligation to speak out thoughtfully and forcefully on the issues that affect public safety in our community and country and our profession as public offers.

One must also be knowledgeable about the impact that crime and violence will have on our children because safety will only be enhanced for the long term through prevention as much as by enforcement.

I am, etc.,

COTTRELL HYATT

Cottrell.hyatt@yahoo.co.uk

London, UK