Jamaica Defence Force soldiers patrol the streets of Tawes Pen in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, during a joint police/military operation on Wednesday during which just over 100 persons were detained. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHERTHE EDITOR, Sir:
BEING A member of the security forces in Jamaica must be one of the most thankless tasks anyone could undertake.
On a weekly basis, there are numerous murders, robberies and other criminal activities in Jamaica. There have been dozens of killings in St Catherine (mostly Spanish Town) since the start of the year.
However, when the police become pro-active instead of reactive they earn the ire, disdain and condemnation of some politicians.
What exactly does Bruce Golding and Olivia Grange expect of the police?
Should they take milk and cookies and soft pillows and bedding for people who have no reservations about shooting each other in broad daylight?
What about the razor wire which surround numerous uptown residences, are these homes concentration camps?
DICTATING TO THE POLICE
Does Golding and Grange want to dictate to the police how they should handle JLP criminals before going on an operation?
Maybe some law-abiding citizens are willing to endure the discomfort in the name of taking back their communities from the criminal elements.
How quickly has Golding gone back into old-time, garrison political mode. It really is true, a leopard can never change his spots.
Take heart, commissioner, there are still thousands of well-thinking Jamaicans who have confidence and trust in the security forces, and feel you should not be made to take on-the-ground directives from politicians from any side of the political divide.
Do your job; be just, be humane but be resolute. We want back our communities; we want peace; we want to walk about our cities, towns and villages free from fear.
We want a Jamaica with a respectable police force, free from political interference.
I am, etc.,
CARMEN CLARKE
Kingston 10
