Police strategy needs strong support

The Editor, Sir:

Against the backdrop of a loud clamouring for strong and decisive action from the government to deal with the rising crime rate, Rear Admiral Lewin, in taking up the post of police commissioner, has cautioned the public against expecting a quick fix.

Commissioner Lewin has pointed out that the cause of crime is multidimensional and as such requires a multidimensional approach. This position is quite different from some among us who believe that only strong police interventions (special squads), and the curtailing of some civil liberties are the answers to our crime problems. Anyone who is familiar with our history would know these approaches to a large extent have been tried before without much success.

While not stating that the police's success in tackling the crime problem will be solely dependent on other efforts at improving the socio-economic situation in the country backed by the necessary political will, he the commissioner has correctly identified the players in this crime-fighting effort and their roles.

Familiar move

The commissioner for his part has stated in a limited manner his vision/strategy which calls for an attack on corruption within the force, development of authority to area commanders, greater accountability and greater integration of community policing philosophy in the operations of the force. This approach seems like a move from the playbook of the New York Police Department during Mayors Dinkins and Giuliani's time. During those periods, the then Commissioners William Bratton and Howard Safir moved the police service from a reactive mode where they were focusing on things like improving response times, clear-up rates to a proactive state, where crime reduction was the primary measure of police effectiveness.

In terms of policing strategies, I submit that in order for the good commissioner to have even a modicum of success, there must be an increase in manpower in the short and medium terms. He must have the ability to hold senior officers accountable (to discipline including dismissal) and to restore trust and confidence in the police. He must also have the support of the political directorate. After all, this was a key component of the successful NYPD model.

I am, etc.,

MARK BENNETT

presbent@yahoo.com