Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
Spanish Town, St. Catherine:
Another member of the clergy has denounced corruption within the police force and its adverse effects on the nation.
The latest cry has come from the Rev. Ballentine Wallace of the Jericho Baptist Church in St. Catherine.
Speaking Sunday at the church's Badge Day service attended by members of the Correctional Service, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Jamaica Defence Force and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Rev. Wallace questioned why no senior member of the police force has ever been held accountable for corruption.
Speaking directly to Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, who sat in the congregation, Rev. Wallace said: "This is not something I am asking you, sir. I am telling you that corruption is a monster and it is real and must stop."
He went on to ask the Police Commissioner why it was that police personnel were regularly benefiting from the seizure of motor vehicles. He said that, on at least two occasions, members of the clergy were caught in breach of the Road Traffic Act and were forced to pay extra money to the wrecker drivers who told them that half the money is for the policeman doing the prosecution.
Act now, commissioner
The pastor said that, while the number of corrupt policemen is a small fraction of the JCF, the commissioner must do all in his power to deal with the problem. He warned that, as corruption in the JCF escalates, so too will crime, as many do not trust the police and will not offer them information.
After the service, Commissioner Thomas told The Gleaner that the public must do all within its powers to help in the apprehension of corrupt policemen.
"People must stop using the easy way out as. Even when the police are caught collecting money from them, we find it very difficult to prosecute effectively as persons do not want to come forth to give proper evidence as to what happened," Mr. Thomas said.
He stressed, however, that he would be going all out to rid the JCF of corruption.
Badge Day is celebrated each year by the Jericho Baptist Church. It is a day on which uniformed groups and their contribution to the nation are recognised.
