THE EDITOR , Sir:
OVER THE years officers in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been punished, it seems, by transfers to the Inspection Branch of the force which is popularly known as never-never land. These officers took up their transfers with much regret, dejected, discouraged and demotivated.
Policemen must be made to feel encouraged and motivated to carry out their duties with assurance, confidence and fulfilment. To achieve this there must be the type of overall support from the police high command to ensure and foster this feeling of belonging and connectiveness in both ways, top-down, bottom-up.
I don't think any officer really disagrees or is entirely against transfers because they know that transfers are a part of the structural functioning of the JCF. However, my point is the humiliation that is felt by these officers who are being transferred. While it is known that transfers are a privileged position for the Commissioner of Police, I think all transfers should be 'cushioned' by the Commissioner so that the transferee is not made to feel humiliated, dejected and demotivated.
The officer should be made to feel that he/she is still a part of the social connectives of the force.
The Inspection Branch of the force needs to be re-named and re-branded in order to create a different functioning and mindset for the officers to be transferred there. In creating this new branch there needs to be two broad objectives in mind: (a) The creation of a high quality control division.
(b) The creation of an environment to which officers are motivated to be transferred.
The new branch should be headed by an officer who has attained the highest level of academic achievement because the functions to be carried out by this branch should include auditing of police finances, records and performance; firearms and ammunition; lock-ups and stations; vehicles, tools and accessories.
I am, etc.,
O. BRYAN
Kingston 6.
