Not very long ago, there was a well-respected, reliable and efficient organisation known as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). It was many a young man's dream to be able to wear the smart looking uniform and to command the respect the organisation got from the people it served and to gain the admiration of the young ladies.

My observation of the constabulary is that a small but influential segment lies embedded in the force like internal parasites and they make up what has become a 'farce'. They taint the entire image of the JCF and the sooner they are removed the better.

The members of the farce can easily be identified. They are corrupt, lazy, inefficient, trigger-happy, nonchalant, ill-mannered, depend on oppression and brute force, lack confidentiality, take bribes, are tardy at work, commit criminal acts themselves, and turn a blind eye to offences being committed such as the chaos outside the Cross Roads Post Office caused by taxi operators, to name a few.

REMEDY

Unfortunately, some senior members of the force who should appraise their juniors are themselves members of the farce and they dare not give a fair appraisal because of the examples they themselves set.

It must be assumed that constables leaving the Police Training Academy are clean, but they get tainted by being supervised by members of the 'farce' when they are assigned to their duties. It therefore means that greater care must be taken as to under whose supervision these young people are put and closer monitoring should be done.

Although laudable attempts are being made to stem corruption in the force, there is still much more to be done.

I am, etc,

T. ALEXANDER

Kingston 5