Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) Semaj, Coke-lloyd
THE POLICE Services Commission has advertised the post of commissioner of police, but no specific qualification was stated for the job.
In an advertisement in the The Sunday Gleaner, the Office of the Services Commission invited "suitably qualified persons within or outside the Jamaica Constabulary Force" to apply for the post before October 31.
The ad outlined general areas of responsibility that fall to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and noted that the commissioner of police should have strong managerial experience.
Dr. Leachim Semaj, head of the Job Bank and psychologist, told The Gleaner yesterday that he believes persons applying for the job must have at least a first degree and management training.
"The commissioner of police is equivalent to a managing director, general manger or chief executive office (CEO)," Dr. Semaj said. "Whatever the mission statement of the police force, that is the CEO's job," he said.
Dr. Semaj said that the CEO's duty is to make sure that the organisation achieves its mission, while at the same time enforce the standard operating procedures of the organisation.
Strong leadership
He added that the best indicator of how well a person will do in the job is how well they have done in past jobs.
Jacqueline Coke-Lloyd, executive director of the Jamaica Employers' Federation, said that the next commissioner of police should possess "strong leadership skills, must understand the dynamics of the Jamaican environment and must have strength of character and be able to manage change effectively".
Meanwhile, at least one senior officer is not in agreement with the Police Services Commission going public in advertising the job.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Newton Amos said it should be advertised only if the Police Services Commission has inter-viewed police officers and not found any suitably qualified persons for the job. "I think it is wrong," he said.
However, SSP Amos said all members of the force who have the requisite skills and qualification should apply. He said that he would be applying for the job.
