Adrian Frater, News Editor

Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin (left) listens keenly to opposition spokesman on National Security Dr Peter Phillips, during yesterday's Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority forum held in Montego Bay, St James. - Photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

A reduced reliance on lethal force is one of the options to be pursued by Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin as he seeks to create a professional, corruption-free and citizen-focused police force, capable of reining in lawlessness.

Speaking at yesterday's Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority (PCOA) forum, in Montego Bay, Admiral Lewin expressed discomfort with the fact that police are being sent out to confront criminals with no other option than the use of their guns.

"Out on the streets, the only thing you (the police) have, or the first reaction you have, is to pull your gun because you don't have available, a range of options prior to resorting to deadly force," the commissioner said. "We are, therefore, looking at acquiring some less than lethal options in the shortest possible time."

However, hardcore criminals, who insist on challenging the police, can expect no respite as, according to Admiral Lewin, the police force will be maintaining its capacity to deal with those who cannot be contained by community-style policing, which is of a less-confrontational nature.

"There are some dangerous people out there who won't be amicable to any community policing and we have got to be prepared to deal with them. Those violent criminals, those paramilitary terrorists, call them what you may," Admiral Lewin said, "That is why the Mobile Reserve has to be reorganised and retrained. There will a detachment of Mobile Reserve strategically placed in each county as a force in reserve to respond to those specific high-violence situation."

Appointing an Inspector general

As for his plan to create a "corrupt-free, professional and citizen-focused police force", the commissioner said his recent zero-tolerance-to-all crimes approach was a key component in that plan, which will also focus on strengthening community policing as a way of regaining the trust and confidence of the public.

Capacity-building was outlined as one of the strategies the commissioner hopes to use in getting the best out of the resources available to the force as well as best handle intelligence and blunt corruption.

As a way of ensuring that his plans are adhered to, Admiral Lewin said he would be making a major announcement today to outline plans for the appointment of an inspector general among other strategic measures to strengthen the capacity of the force.

"I can tell you that there will be an inspector general, whose purpose is to drive the inspection on audit of police formation, facilities and so on," said the commissioner. "He will be the eyes and ears of the commissioner - not to go around with a big stick, but actually to help formation to ensure they are keeping the required standard."

In addition to Commissioner Lewin, the forum, which was designed to seek the public's input in designing strategies to battle crime, was also addressed by members of the Bishop Charles Dufour-led organisation PCOA; Senator Arthur Williams, the minister of state in the Ministry of National Security; and Opposition Spokesman on National Security Dr Peter Phillips.