ClarkeOmar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
WILLIAM 'BILL' Clarke, the managing director of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), has called for the abolition of the 134-year-old Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
He said that this was necessary to enable the government to establish a new multidisciplinary force, of no less than 30,000 members, relevant to the current needs and future of Jamaica.
Speaking on the weekend at the awards banquet of the Motorised Patrol Division of the JCF at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, Mr. Clarke said the current crime wave "was a very real internal threat" that could cause the country to descend into "chaos and mayhem".
ABOLISH THE JAMAICA DEFENCE FORCE
"Repeal the Defence Force Act and abolish the Jamaica Defence Force," he suggested. "This is an elitist military that is no longer relevant in the context of the realities in Jamaica today and is therefore unaffordable and is not the best use of the most highly-trained security personnel we have."
According to the BNS managing director, the government should repeal the Defence Force Act which he described as "an anachronism in light of what is required to serve the needs of the Jamaican people at this time."
"(The government should) table new legislation to establish a new multidisciplinary force ... which is relevant to the current and future needs of Jamaica," recommended Mr. Clarke. "This new force should recruit its members from, but not limited to the former JDF and JCF, with emphasis on competencies, character and impeccable integrity."
ACCOUNTABLE TO PARLIAMENT
This new force, Mr. Clarke added, should be accountable to Parliament without ministerial jurisdiction, and a council of persons should be appointed to protect citizens' rights and civil liberties.
In proposing other ways to restore a sense of order to the country, the BNS managing director said that the government should convene a special 60-day sitting of Parliament and dedicate five days per week for eight hours, to a rigorous and productive bi-partisan debate on the organisational structure needed to meet Jamaica's national security needs.
To this end, Mr. Clarke said citizens should be invited to air their views on what organisational structure they consider appropriate.
