Glenroy Sinclair and Mark Beckford, Gleaner Writers

Supt. Norman Heywood, president, Police Officers' Association. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

With 14 days to go before the deadline expires for interested persons to apply for the job of commissioner of police, only one person has applied since the post was first advertised on Sunday.

"Well, yes, we received one application today (yesterday)," Jacqueline Hinkson, chief personnel officer at the Services Commission told The Gleaner yesterday.

However, Ms. Hinkson declined to disclose who the applicant was - whether the person was a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) or a civilian.

This is the first time that the job of police commissioner is being advertised.

In a quick response yesterday, Superintendent Norman Heywood, president of the Police Officers' Association, dismissed the ad as trivial.

I don't blame people

"Frankly speaking, I don't blame people for not applying to the ad, as it is vague and doesn't lend to serious advertisement for the post of commissioner of police (who will) supervise and manage over 10,000 persons," he said.

"An ad of that nature appears to be very trivial and lacks substance and basic requirements, therefore serious applicants would think twice," he added.

"I suggest that the Police Services Commission look within the JCF and interview the men and women who are qualified," Heywood continued. He noted that he was not worried about the response as he believes there are suitably qualified individuals within the JCF to fill the position.

The advertisement did not state the criteria for the job, but stated that a letter of application outlining previous managerial experience including a detailed curriculum vitae should be submitted. It further said that the Police Service Commission is seeking a suitably qualified candidate within or outside the JCF to fill the post of Commissioner of Police as soon as possible.

For his part, General Secretary of the Police Federation, Corporal Hartley Stewart said: "It is only one business day (since the ad was placed) so maybe you could use that as an explanation. The advertisement is not specific and more importantly it is not an easy job. The federation still maintains the position that there are men and women within the ranks of the JCF with the requisite qualifications to fill the post".

Corporal Stewart added that: "It is going to be difficult to find the person, the people know it is a difficult job, which requires technical and tactical qualifications. We hope that the members of the force apply".

Whether or not he takes the job, The Gleaner has been reliably informed that the government is looking in the direction of Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, who retires as Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force on October 27.

There is also the Director of Elections, Danville Walker, who was approached about two weeks ago by a member of the Police Service Commission, who asked him if he would take the job.

A third name is now being called and seems to be one of the popular choices among the rank and file and officer corps of the JCF. That candidate is Assistant Commissioner Owen Ellington, who was groomed by former Police Commissioner, Col. Trevor MacMillan.

ACP Ellington has served in various sections of the JCF and and up to February this year was the chairman of the Local Security Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup.