The public debate over the selection of a new Commissioner of Police is beginning to take on a political character - albeit non-partisan at this stage - which is unfortunate. The responsibility of selecting a Commissioner rests with the Police Service Commission (PSC). We would expect that a suitable choice will be made after careful consideration as to the operational needs of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the security concerns of the country as a whole.

The agitation by members of the Police Officers' Association in trying to strong-arm the PSC into selecting one from among their ranks is unseemly and does not augur well for general discipline within the JCF. Personal ambition should not be allowed to trump the specific needs of the country at this time. This is not to suggest that a suitable candidate cannot emerge from among the constabulary force - but we cannot accept that this must be so as a matter of course.

Those who are confident in their abilities should have no hesitation in applying for the job as advertised. Rumours and threats of a withdrawal of support and cooperation by police officers and those in the lower ranks if they do not have their way have only thrown into sharp focus the extent of the indiscipline within the JCF. In the final analysis, if the lower ranks can determine who should be head of their organisation, the person so appointed will, in all probability, feel obliged to manage the force in a way that pleases them. Indeed, we have seen, in the past, how a culture of indiscipline has allowed police officers to be openly disrespectful of their seniors with little or no consequences. This must be halted.

Taming the monster of crime in its many forms is not the job of any one person, but the perspectives and managerial skills brought to the job will be of critical importance. Those who are keen on seeing a professional JCF should be prepared work with whomever is appointed, conscious of the vows sworn when they joined the organisation.

The esprit de corps necessary to building a strong constabulary must be buttressed by strong leadership and a culture of accountability. Those given to corruption and a rogue mentality must be booted within the parameters of the regulations governing their service.

It is of some significance that one of the most serious attempts in recent years to have been made at tackling glaring indiscipline within the JCF came under the watch of an 'outsider' - namely, Col. Trevor MacMillan. His was a rocky tenure but some significant attempt at cleaning up much that was wrong was started. The new appointee will be faced with the same challenges, and the times demand that he or she takes to the job courage, skill and commitment to Jamaica, over and above organisational loyalty.

If the new Commissioner does, in fact, come from outside the JCF, but is one who brings to the job a clear vision, managerial skills and professionalism, then the members of the officer corps should have no problem giving their fullest co-operation. To do otherwise is to engage in the most egregious form of churlish and petulant behaviour.