A job well done
THE WORD is out. The Commissioner of Police, Major General (retired) Antony Anderson, is likely to vacate the post some time in 2024. He was appointed in March 2018 and will have completed six or more years in the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) by the time he leaves the force, if the information doing the circuit is correct.
In my humble opinion, he is undoubtedly one of the best commissioners i n the history of the JCF, an organisation that impacts the lives of every single Jamaican daily. Under his tenure he has quietly continued the modernisation of the force, through better strategic planning resulting in greater efficiencies displayed in investigations, law enforcement professionalism, use of technology, public relations/ interactions, communications, management of the thoroughfares, dress and deportment, interagency cooperation, among other critical areas, too numerous to go through given my limitation on words/space.
SAFE AND BRIGHT FUTURE FOR JAMAICA
The prime minister has publicly stated that serious crimes are down by 10.7 per cent, the lowest they have been in 22 years. Homicides are down 7.8 per cent over the previous year and ‘after the first 22 days of 2024, homicides are down 21.9 per cent relative to 2023’. At this time in our history, this is no mean feat. It speaks to systems in place that now function and if the progression is allowed to continue, there could be a safe and bright future for Jamaica on the horizon. This is where our commissioner has made his mark and he ought to be congratulated on his results-oriented management methodologies throughout his tenure. They are bearing the desired fruits.
Despite these observations, there is still a far way to go, especially in the mending of internal issues such as improved relationships between the officers and the federation, weeding out corrupt individuals, eradicating police brutality, etc. There is no doubt that he has laid the foundation for the complete transformation of the JCF through the continuous implementation of its approved strategic objectives. Our primary law enforcement agency must now be soundly resourced and charged with desirable deliverables, going forward.
A THANKLESS JOB
I do not expect everyone to agree with me, but we must take time out to look back at where we are coming from, note the positives and negatives and determine the overall progress to date. Notwithstanding my views, however, this has always been a thankless job, there has never been consensus, so whereas there are those I believe in the majority, that will be extremely thankful for the major general’s tenure, there are those that will say otherwise. What a dichotomy if ever there was one! You just cannot get our people to agree on anything except West Indies cricket, and even here one treads on dangerous grounds!
Notwithstanding such circumstances, and our policing environment, there are many of his counterparts throughout the Caribbean that are envious of his achievements.
There are problems ahead in the transitioning of the JCF’s leadership beyond Major General Anderson’s departure. Our system of governance has a responsibility to appoint the right person to succeed. In my mind, both political parties will be responsible for ensuring that the JCF does not ‘back-slide’ at this critical juncture. The appointment to lead the organisation, to include those immediately impacted by the ripple effect within the Police High Command structure, must be based upon merit and not political favours.
Political interference has only served to destroy individual and collective capacities and capabilities since we gained Independence. It’s high time that our political masters desist and do better. The Force needs to be put in a position where it can continue along a consistent progressive path. If it fails after its foundation has been so adequately set, then the nation can rest assured that it will plunge into the greatest disaster suffered since the days of slavery.
I have no doubt that the powers that be will not want the current commissioner to demit office just yet. I foresee some ‘persuading conversations’ playing on the sense of patriotism (here he has nothing further to prove) and the timing of his possible departure, and a host of other things that one imagines to be the usual arguments. Whatever the cards played, I thank him for his sacrifice and achievements, he has done what most thought to be impossible, and I conclude by saying that at the end of the day, it’s his choice whether to continue or bow out gracefully. To date, he has done extremely well!!