Woman power, Police commissioner places women in leadership roles in battlegrounds

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

Two of the female stars of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been thrust into leading roles in the latest shake-up of the top ranks of the force.

Assistant Commissioner Novelette Grant - who has made her name without being in charge of any street unit - has been given the tough task of leading the Police Area Five while Linette Martin-Williams, who has impressed in Trelawny, is moving to St James.

Grant will command a police area which includes the problem divisions of St Andrew North, St Catherine South, St Catherine North and St Thomas.

Long seen as a possible leader of the force, Grant is moving from the Strategic Review Implementation Team where she has been leading the planned transformation of the local police.

Now, she will be asked to lead operations in two of the most violent police divisions.

Grant will face in St Catherine North (Spanish Town and its environs), the bloodiest police division in the island.

With 203 murders up to December 26, St Catherine North - the home of the notorious Clansman and One Order criminal gangs - has been a challenge for many seasoned police officers over the years.

It is no picnic either in the neighbouring St Catherine South which covers Portmore and has seen 143 murders since the start of this year.

Yesterday, efforts to contact Grant were unsuccessful but her male colleagues expressed confidence in her abilities.

"That is one tough woman who knows the work and will give it her best shot," said a deputy superintendent who requested that his name be withheld.

The DSP also expressed confidence in the other female officer moved to a battleground, Martin-Williams.

St James has figured pro-minently on the police murder list for the past five years, and with 186 killings recorded so far this year, it trails only St Catherine North as the murder capital of the country.

Yesterday, a determined Martin-Williams told The Gleaner that it would need full cooperation from everyone to tame the crime monster.

"It has to be a team effort and with God's help, I think we can succeed," Martin-Williams said.

She said she would continue the measures which have been successful in Trelawny, where only 26 murders have been recorded this year.

"Presence is very important and we will be present on the streets," added Martin-Williams.

The two women have a tough task before them but they obviously enjoy the confidence of the commissioner, who has reportedly recommended that Martin-Williams be promoted to a senior superintendent.