Get cops from Africa, Caribbean
published: Monday | January 9, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I NOTE that Jamaica will be seeking senior level cops from overseas. On a recent tour overseas by the Jamaica National Building Society, there were suggestions from residents who wanted to return, that one of the best options was to recruit constables from other forces around the world and to put a delay on the Jamaica recruitment. One of the main sources of trouble in Jamaica is that the populace has lost respect for the Jamaica Constabulary Force and that can be rectified in the above way suggested.

There are several countries which would gladly send their officers on secondment, as well as Jamaica could put advertisements in the newspapers overseas. We noted that African countries have similar climates to Jamaica as well as other Caribbean regions. You may well note that in Trinidad, a number of their security guards are from Nigeria. There is also Ghana, Kenya and the like. Put a halt on the new recruits from Jamaica for at least three years and place these other officers alongside the existing officers and you would see the difference in less than a year. Respect will improve and there will be a significant drop in levels of crime.

I am, etc.,

MONICA ISAACS

marcia_allen@hotmail.com

London

Via Go-Jamaica