Why should I pay twice?

The Editor, Sir:

I write to inquire of the Ministry of National Security why is it that I am being called upon to pay a second time to obtain a police record when I did nothing to compromise the system, and why is it that a system is not in place where the cashier at the Ministry of National Security is in a position to advise applicants on the spot who apply for express service that they do not qualify as they have outstanding matters before the court?

I heard on the news and read in the newspaper where persons who applied for police records after May 2010 would need to reapply as the United States Embassy was not accepting police records before that date because the system had been compromised. If the system has been compromised, the government department that is responsible for the system should be made to bear the expense of all those who are called upon to re-apply, and here I do not mean the taxpayers.

Cases dismissed

I was maliciously prosecuted in 1997 and ended up with two matters before the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court. In 1998-1999, both matters were disposed of by two judges. The court ordered that my fingerprints be taken and this was done.

On one charge, no order was made and on the other, the matter was dismissed. I attended the Office of the Ministry of National Security, paid for the express service for which I was not qualified and did not get a refund. I was given a date to return to the office to collect my police record only to be told by the clerk that I had to retake my fingerprint. This was done and I waited until closing time only to be told that I had a matter before the court in 1997 and that I had to attend the Half-Way Tree Court office in order to obtain the result for submission before I could be issued a police record. This took approximately three weeks and I had paid for express service.

Is government by the people and for the people? In order for one to access the police records office, one has to go very early and join a long queue as thousands of Jamaican citizens are affected by this latest requirement.

I am, etc.,

JOSEPH M. CORNWALL Sr

House of Tranquillity Funeral Home Ltd