Bent

While the country will have to wait at least another month to know who the next Commissioner of Police will be, the Government confirmed yesterday that Deputy Commissioner Jevene Bent will take temporary command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) until a replacement is found for Lucius Thomas.

She will take over the reins of the JCF immediately after Commissioner Thomas leaves on October 31, as was first reported in The Sunday Gleaner. This was disclosed to members of the Police Officers Association (POA) yesterday, during a meeting with National Security Minister Derrick Smith.

The meeting, which was cordial, saw the POA members expressing certain concerns regarding the actions of the Police Services Commission. The POA says it will be writing to the commission seeking clarification.

A 31-year veteran of the police force, DCP Bent is the highest ranked female in the JCF and in the Caribbean region.

Ms. Bent created history in the JCF in July 2004 when she first acted in the capacity of Police Commissioner, when she deputised for then Commissioner Francis Forbes, who was on an overseas mission.

Under Mr. Forbes' watch, she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner on May 1, 2003. As DCP, she is responsible for the JCF's Administration and Support Services.