The case of Harry Daley, the high-ranking policeman convicted on corruption charges yesterday, served to illuminate an inconvenient Jamaican truth. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is a troubled organisation, one in which corruption reaches into all ranks.

There is a bigger and broader truth, however, and it is this: scores of Jamaicans, including politicians and other public servants, as well as private-sector members, fall into the widening morass of corruption which has hampered the country's progress.

Indeed, many people did not believe Mr Daley would have been convicted even if there was overwhelming evidence against him. They argued that history was on his side because so many policemen before him had beaten the system. Today, however, many are somewhat consoled because the conviction of Harry Daley is an indication that the law is plainly not on the side of rogue cops. We believe such convictions will go a long way in restoring public trust in a once-respected institution.

Congratulations in order

In all of this, we must congratulate the members of the JCF and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who investigated this case and saw it to its successful conclusion. For we have seen in the past efforts to frustrate the course of justice with files and exhibits disappearing and witnesses vanishing into thin air. We need more men and women with guts within the police force to stand up for what is right. But having secured this major victory, they cannot rest. Acting Commissioner Owen Ellington and his top officers must bring a cleansing light to bear on the JCF.

The ugly details that emerged in this case were even more appalling than the most lurid imagination could conjure. Now, the spotlight will be focusing even more narrowly on the JCF as we move into what is shaping up to be a challenging new year. How the JCF handles Mr Daley's case may determine how well the organisation weathers what can only be described as a crisis of leadership.

If Mr Daley was not acting alone, there has to be a concerted effort to bring his cronies to justice. The practice of extortion has seeped into almost every nook and cranny and it has to be stopped because it has become the bane of business existence in cities and small towns alike.

Guilty, corrupt policeman

The irony in all this is that when Mr Daley's personal integrity was called into question in a court of law, among the persons coming to his defence was a justice of the peace. Clearly, the magistrate rejected that evidence and found herself convinced by the prosecutors that Mr Daley was a corrupt policeman who was guilty of extortion.

So there is really no finality here. It will take a greater effort and openness at the top to repair the breach created by corrupt policemen. Policemen who have signed on to serve and protect must necessarily be held to a higher standard than the rest of the population.

It comes right back to the question of leadership, just how the JCF achieves a measure of success in ridding itself of the evil that lurks within has confounded several commissioners of police and ministers of national security in the past. But they have to build on each victory. This was a good victory. And what is good for the police force is good for Jamaica.

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