Smith

WESTERN BUREAU:

A strategic report, which focuses on restructuring the quality of service being offered by the police force, was yesterday handed over to Minister of National Security Derrick Smith.

This, according to Dr Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), who chaired the committee that compiled the report.

Dr Thompson was speaking at NCU's Montego Bay, St James launch of its 10th anniversary celebrations and the official opening of new campus facilities.

Changes this year

The submission of this report comes in the wake of a number of changes that have been made to the police force this year.

"In putting the report together, we laboured on and about the fact that changes needed to take place within our constabulary force, such that people would see our officers of the law as professional persons, people who are dignified and refined," he said.

The panel which put together the report consisted of members from Jamaica, South Africa, the United States, Canada and Great Britain, and has been a work in progress for the past eight months.

Justice not for sale

Dr Thompson spoke to a police force where "justice would not be for sale on any street corner" and one in which "some of our best minds in this country will be seeking to enter".

Tracing the term constabulary force to its roots in the post emancipation period, Dr Thompson said the panel has suggested a name change to police service.

"Constabulary has a certain connotation, but Heaven forbid, 'force', has an even greater connotation," he said.

The NCU president did state, however, that, in submitting the report, it was emphasised that no matter how much change the police force undergoes, it will be of no consequence if citizens remain the same.

"Some of us are difficult to manage, difficult to police; and all around us are people who are lawbreakers ... killers and murderers."

Stating that part of NCU's responsibility is to change the landscape of the citizenry so that policing will become a little more palatable and manageable, Dr Thompson said the school strives "to make Jamaica a better place by putting out there people who are more aware of other people's rights and privileges and responsibilities".