The Editor, Sir:

I am very disturbed and dis-appointed as to the measures put in place by both the Government and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to eradicate the scourge of police corruption from within our society.

If the Government is really serious about its eradication, it should appoint a bi-partisan commission to do so.

Total disgrace

The commission's hands must not be limited to just the members of the JCF, but also to members of Parliament. It is a total disgrace to see how the hardworking people of Jamaica are being deprived and cheated out of their livelihood without anyone coming to their rescue.

Simply put, I have always said that our government is too British, and needs to make a shift and emulate some of the laws of the United States.

Effective

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States government has imposed a series of laws to deal with corruption, money laundering and forgery. Of all the laws imposed, there is none more effective than the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Not only is it more effective, but it has been emulated and utilised by most trading partners of the US.

One of the requirements of this law has to deal with disclosure. It places a threshold on certain financial activities, and calls for the reporting of such activities by these financial activities. Consequently, if an institution fails to comply, then the Government has the right to file charges against the financial institution.

In my opinion, if we want to eliminate this disease from among us, the Government must either appoint a bipartisan commission or apply the Sarbanes Oxley Act which has proven to be tremendously successful, not only in the US, but in other foreign countries.

I am, etc.,

DR MICHAEL THOMPSON

michthompson@aol.com

Hollywood, Fla