THE EDITOR, Sir:
CONCERNING PETER Espeut's column in the Gleaner Online of November 5, I must note, as a citizen and past resident of Flankers (with the s) that the pain of the community was significantly alleviated by the apologies of Minister Phillips and Commissioner Forbes. Therefore, Mr. Espeut should not have been so critical or dismissing of those noble acts from these security officials.
Despite the tragedy of the Flankers deaths and the other seeming acts of police excesses delineated by Mr. Espeut, the Jamaican police and other security forces must be commended for using not only restraint in fighting crime in this outrageously over-criminalised country but also for their skill and perseverance in keeping the country from anarchy and, more specifically, for helping to protect the fragile tourism economy of Montego Bay and Western Jamaica. Members of the clergy, like Mr. Espeut, should, at this time, following the Canterbury success of the police, the Flankers misstep, and the now delicate aftermath, be more supportive of the security forces, offering redemption and a vision for future successes.
Without a strong security force, willing to use force to combat the evil forces of criminals, Jamaica would sink into criminality worse than some of the African provinces we read about. The number one entity to prevent our beloved country from becoming a flaming Middle East or a smouldering Colombian drug province is the police force. They need the support of all Jamaicans, and especially of the religious leaders, many of whom seem to be failing to provide the moral and spiritual leadership necessary to convert or avert the many criminals operating in Jamaica.
So let this current media bashing of the Jamaican police force cease. Everyone makes mistakes, some deadly and some less serious. After the apologies and the restitutions made to the families of the Flankers victims, it is now time to throw full support behind the police and let them do their job, including using deadly force when necessary to keep Jamaica safe by getting rid of criminals. Why should the police on the frontline of crime-fighting take a bullet and lose their lives before using force to stop the criminals? When will Mr. Espeut and other columnists who are now criticising the police write something showing sympathy for the family of the policeman whose body was recently fished from a St. Catherine river or for those policemen who have lost their lives in Jamaica so far this year?
Kudos to Minister Phillips and Commissioner Forbes for their sincere apologies and may God bless the police and other security forces of Jamaica.
I am, etc.,
Rev. MERVIN STODDART
INMerv@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 150953
Altamonte Springs
Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
