The Editor, Sir:

the high level of crime and violence in Jamaica has forced the Government to look to developed countries across the globe for solutions. We have adopted their models of policing, such as community policing and problem-oriented policing; we have acquired some of their sophisticated technology for forensic purposes; and have even gone to the extent of recruiting some of their police officers.

And so, what we have seen, not just in Jamaica, but in other English-speaking Caribbean countries, is a growing trend of the various governments looking to the USA, Canada and the UK for best practices. However, in this transfer of ideas and practices, one very important thing that is often overlooked is the matter of grant-funding.

On the surface, grant-funding may not sound like much, but it is extremely valuable. Its value lies in the fact that it enhances a police department's ability to conduct new and innovative crime prevention programmes, obtain cutting-edge technology, provide training opportunities for its members and increase the department's research and planning capabilities.

In the USA, for example, the federal, state and local governments understand this importance and have made available millions of dollars as grants. The US Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are just two such funding agencies.

What is needed in Jamaica is for us to create and sustain a culture of grant-funding in the fields of security and criminal justice. This would require that government entities such as the Ministry of National Security and Justice, business and corporate entities, and local authorities carry grants as a line item on their budgets.

These entities would then scan the wide range of issues affecting the fields of security and criminal justice, prioritise these issues and advertise solicitations, outlining the scope and eligibility. Law enforcement agencies, univer-sities and NGOs would now be challenged to come up with winning proposals to draw on these resources.

This culture would not only provide the police and criminal justice community with ammunition in the fight against crime, but also offer a high level of transparency and accountability. For the entities it would be money well invested, with the return on investment being safe and confident communities which are conducive to growth and prosperity.

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL LAWRENCE

Research Associate

St Mary