Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine

President of the Returning Residents Association, Percival La Touche, has added his voice to the chorus of persons arguing that no outsider should be considered for the job of Police Commissioner.

Competent deputy commissioners

Addressing the Linstead chapter of the Returning Residents Association, Mr. La Touche told members there were competent deputy commissioners within the Jamaica Constabulary Force possessing the requisite skills and integrity to serve as the nation's 'top cop'.

"I see it as a retrograde step to allow any outsider to come in and dictate to the police. This method had been tried with (Colonel) Trevor McMillan and we are feeling the domino effect now, as persons under his charge were demotivated," Mr. La Touche claimed.

He argued that the manner in which that commissioner dealt with the police resulted in some resignations and that it would be wise for returning residents and others to not subscribe to the notion that someone outside can fix the problems within the force.

Power to dismiss

Mr. La Touche asked that the new police commissioner, having been taken from the ranks, be given the power to dismiss any member of the force who is lacking the required discipline and or decorum to make them a good policemen.

He said also that there were several aspects of the law that needed to be addressed if whoever becomes police commissioner is to make any recognisable changes to benefit the country in its fight against crime.