Statements by Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police Les Green and past Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields about the Jamaica Constabulary Force give us great cause for concern. If these statements are true, and there is no reason to doubt that they are, the problem of corruption in the ranks of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) seems to be far more rampant and widespread than many of us were willing to admit. These factors, coupled with the resignation of Police Commissioner Lewin, do not augur well for the state of security in our country.

Act with urgency

The Golding administration needs to act with urgency to tackle the deteriorating security situation. Failure to do so will eventually lead our country down the slippery slope of total and complete break-down of law and order.

I hereby submit the following suggestions for our Government to consider:

1. Deal expeditiously with all outstanding extradition requests.

2. Take steps to set up an elite, complementary force to the JCF (along the lines of the FBI) made up of persons outside the present JCF system with qualifications similar to those required for admission to the officer corps of the JDF. This force should be mandated to deal with the dismantling/dissolution of gangs, the problem of extortion and the problem of corruption in the JCF.

3. Make the necessary amendments to our system of judiciary to ensure expeditious handling of criminal cases.

4. Take steps to ensure members of the legal fraternity and the JCF are held accountable when cases are protracted because of failure to attend court sittings.

If we are to move forward and achieve our potential, Jamaicans of goodwill must come together and insist our politicians act in the best interest of our country at all times. The idea of the 'don' as a necessary evil must be eradicated from our psyche.

Jamaica is a beautiful country, full of potential, and people of goodwill must unite to ensure our country does not slip into chaos and become a failed state.

I am, etc.,

DOREEN MORGAN

Kingston