EDITORIAL - More than one way to skin a cat

This newspaper has consistently asked for the commissioner of police to be granted greater flexibility in the hiring of staff, in line with the authority enjoyed by chief executive officers of major institutions/corporations.

Under Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) procedures, removing police officers, especially senior ones from the JCF, can be a tedious and complex operation, involving a mass of regulations and the involvement of the Police Service Commission.

While we still adhere to the need for reform, recent developments have demonstrated that far more can be achieved than used to be assumed with the existing tools, if creatively used by committed and focused leaders.

For instance, this week Justin Felice, the assistant commissioner in charge of the constabulary's Anti-Corruption Branch, announced that 105 members of the JCF were not allowed to re-enlist during the first seven months of this year.

Subofficers join the JCF on what essentially are five-year contracts, over whose renewal the police chief has substantial authority. As Mr Felice explained, the police commissioner may exercise that authority if he is convinced that the policemen seeking to re-enlist have not been "efficient or effective in carrying out their duty with integrity".

"If there is concern about their behaviour, he won't renew their contracts," Mr Felice said.

Despite the age-old complaints about corruption and incompetence at all levels of the constabulary, this was a tool that was, at best, only sparingly utilised to rid the JCF of what Mr Felice calls "bad officers". It has, however, come more into vogue in the three years he has been in the job.

It seems to us, nonetheless, that its application, up to now, is ad hoc, rather than strategic - which is where we propose the change.

Indeed, many keen and knowledgeable observers of the Jamaican police force have proposed its dissolution and reconstitution - an action that we have supported but have recognised would not only be sensitive, but difficult to accomplish. It would require, among other things, new legislation and compensation for displaced staff. There would also be energy-sapping debate.

Fair review

If, however, Mr Felice's branch engaged in continuous, aggressive, but fair review of the behaviour of police officers and this was buttressed by regular performance appraisals of all members of the force, it would be relatively easy for the commissioner to weed out annually those who seek re-enlistment but have not met the benchmark for integrity or competence. In short order, the JCF would be on a a clear path of renewal.

A strategic use of the five-year re-enlistment rule to cull the JCF of the "bad eggs" would require something else. The police training facility, it has been reported, can hardly keep pace with replacement at current levels, at a time when the JCF is significantly below full strength.

It means, therefore, that the shortfall in training capacity would have to be addressed as a matter of urgency. But that ought not be beyond either the Government or the managers of the JCF, given the potential gains from the process.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.