Don’t pressure PSC over Quallo pick

THE EDITOR, Sir: I HAVE read with interest the excellent editorial on Monday, April 24, 2017, ‘Quallo casualty of rumour, silence’, about the appointment of the new commissioner of police.

I refer in particular to the final paragraph of the editorial set out as follows: “In refusing to acknowledge requests for disclosure, Mr Shirley’s PSC appears aloof, out of touch, and arrogant. And the casualties of its indifference have been Commissioner Quallo and public confidence.”

The tone of the final paragraph of the editorial is negative. The attack on the Police Service Commission (PSC) is unjustified. The negative comment on the new commissioner of police, George Quallo, as a casualty is inappropriate.

The PSC has responsibilities, and its members have discharged those duties as they see fit.

There may have been public perception that someone else may have been appointed to the top position in the police force. The PSC took the decision to appoint Deputy Commissioner of Police Quallo to the position of commissioner of police. That was the PSC’s responsibility, and it was done.

As the leading daily newspaper in Jamaica, The Gleaner should show respect for the decision of the PSC and encourage islandwide support for the new police chief. ALVARO CASSERLY Kingston 6