Edmond Campbell, Senior News Coordinator

MacMillan

Opposition Senator Colonel Trevor MacMillan has called for whistle-blower legislation for the police force to weed out corrupt cops, arguing that the elimination of corruption in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) would go a far way in solving the problem of crime in Jamaica.

Col. MacMillan, as former commissioner of police, said that members who would come forward with information on their colleagues were routinely intimidated and victimised. "When fish go to river bottom and say shark down there listen to the fish, please listen to me with respect to this," he said.

His proposal comes one day after Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas disclosed that he had advised the Professional Standards Branch of the force to vigorously pursue intelligence on police personnel in St. James who were involved in corruption.

Gang-related activity

The commissioner reported that 10 members of the police force who were involved in gang-related activity have been charged and many others were being targeted.

Col. MacMillan suggested, in his maiden contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate yesterday, that, under the whistle-blower legislation, a unit could be set up in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to handle disclosures and carry out investigations.