TO GIVE Owen Ellington the top job in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on the basis that he took control of security for the Cricket World Cup competition in Jamaica is idiotic. That shows we are not great thinkers. I am not saying he might not do a good job as commissioner, but there should be more credentials to his name. This wasn't a case of England's football team playing against the team from Holland or Germany, where these teams carry a lot of hooligans wherever they play.

This was cricket, for crying out loud. This is more a gentleman's game and one shouldn't expect hooliganism. This is not Pakistan's cricket team vs India's cricket team playing in India or Pakistan. These two countries could start a fight in an empty house and in that case would need tight security. We need to think carefully what we are doing and not just pick any Tom, Dick or Harry. The country is in a very fragile state and this thing needs careful thinking.

Is there no quality?

You have a failed former commissioner of police recommending the job to a man whose only credential is to oversee a peaceful sport. We also have a person who was up on murder charge twice (and subsequently acquitted) wanting the job, or if that is not the case, wanting to tell us who must get the job. Is this a sign to show that we don't have the quality people in Jamaica to stamp the crime out of Jamaica?

The people responsible for hiring the commissioner of police should think twice before hiring somebody who is going to quit after two years. What Jamaica needs is a great thinker, a person who is not afraid to lose his job, when he comes up with tough assignments that will hurt politicians but better the lives of ordinary Jamaicans; a person who is doing the job for Jamaica and not for politicians; a person who is not afraid to make tough decisions even though it might hurt other people; and a person who cares about crime for the whole Jamaica.

More brainwork needed

If we have the best commissioner of police in the world with bad cops, corrupt cops and brain-dead politicians around him, it won't work. If the commissioner of police doesn't have the powers to order the arrest of a prime minister or o\pposition leader, were either to commit criminal acts, then I don't see the point in having a commissioner of police.

We also need to remember that the top job is not a 'man thing'. To date, we have had only men running the police force and they all failed miserably. Maybe the reason why they failed so badly is because they thought less and used more loudmouth and heavy-handed tactics. We need to approach the crime situation with brain work, and this is where a female commissioner could work wonders.

I am, etc.,

HERO SCOTT

cloggyseba@hotmail.com

Brussels, Belgium