THE ACTING commissioner of police's best effort will fizzle to nothing just like those of the others who went before him, unless the fundamental infrastructural legal problems are fixed. The suggestions that are being proposed in this letter will require our lawmakers to display political boldness and political will. But careful consideration of what is at stake ought to drive them to take the political risk. The few suggestions are:

Rewrite the law relating to the witness-protection system in Jamaica. A new bill must be written, free of any loopholes, and in such a way that it builds absolute confidence in people's mind. Its implementation will require a healthy chunk of money.

Write another bill with very severe punishments for anybody who is suspected, apprehended, tried and found guilty of threatening or intimidating or hurting or damaging in any possible form a witness, or members of a jury or their families, property or any other of their interests.

Simplify appeal system

Simplify the appeal system; including a short time frame in which all appeals relating to a particular matter must be disposed of.

Execute the death sentence on those convicted criminals on death row. If any of them have appeal pending, this must be legally disposed of without any further delay.

Introduce a bill relating to specialised training in police information/evidence-gathering and storage.

I am, etc.,

VINCENT FRANCIS

sharvin_1@yahoo.com