Succession in the police force
IT must be demoralising to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, who aspire to become Commissioner of Police, to have to bear with officialdom appointing of a member of the army — active or former — to head the constabulary.
In the last 15 years, my count has shown that three army men have been appointed to lead the JCF: Col Trevor Macmillan, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, and now Major General Antony Anderson.
Macmillan did nothing spectacular. In fact, in his bid to show the coat tails of some of the senior officers, he went too far overboard and did not get that ‘extra mile’ support that was crucial.
Lewin was a different act. His management of the force was top notch and when he left, there were many unfinished things. I suspect that he was betrayed by the whole issue of the “Dudus”coke situation in West Kingston.
General Anderson is making an effort, though it seems like there is too much dependence on extreme measures like states of emergency and zones of special operations.
But what would have happened under people who came through the ranks from humble constables to senior superintendent, assistant commissioner or deputy commissioner? How can you then tell them that they are not good enough, especially when crime figures do not differ much when army men are in charge?
I don’t know how much longer General Anderson will serve as top cop, but I can well imagine how badly people like Devon Watkis, Fitz Bailey and Steve Mcgregor, among others, must feel that they were not given the chance to put their training into action in how best to protect and serve the people of this country.