Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer

( L - R ) Shields, Felice, Green

The new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government has left the door open for the introduction of more foreign police officers to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, if deemed necessary.

Derrick Smith, the recently installed National Security Minister, told The Gleaner this week that this method of strengthening the local police force had not necessarily been exhausted and would continue to be examined.

He quickly added, however, that this would be on a needs basis.

"Foreign officers only become necessary when there are certain identifiable deficiencies, so, if the deficiencies continue to show up themselves, then we always have to look at options," he said.

It was in 2004 that Mark Shields, a former member of London's highly respected Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), was recruited to fill the crucial position of Deputy Commissioner in charge of crime in the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

He was followed by Assistant Commissioner Leslie Green and three other British officers - ACP Justin Felice, ACP Paul Robinson and ACP John McLean.

The initially controversial policy of recruiting foreign police officers was introduced by Dr. Peter Phillips, Mr. Smith's predecessor as National Security Minister in the last administration.

The Jamaican example has been emulated in the Eastern Caribbean, with Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia also recruiting British officers. So far, all three nations have stopped short of appointing a foreigner to the top post - that of police commissioner.

Asked whether the new government would stick to that policy and not appoint a foreigner to the top job, Mr. Smith's short answer was, "I wouldn't go there".

When pressed on the matter, he elaborated only slightly: "I wouldn't go there in terms of going on the record supporting it or otherwise."

Rogue cops

Regarding the perennial problem posed by rogue cops in the constabulary force, Mr. Smith said he would be seeking to introduce legislation to make it easier for the police commissioner to fire these renegades.

"Especially cops at the levels from constable to inspector, not necessarily at the officer level, at which stage the Police Service Commission would get involved," he said.

This was one of the key recommendations of the MacMillan Committee, appointed by then Opposition Leader Bruce Golding in 2006 to examine the crime problem and advise him on appropriate policy options.

It came in response to many outcries from concerned Jamaicans about police abuses and excesses which have not been sufficiently punished.