Herbert Lewis, Contributor

Lewis

Much discussion on the selection of a new commissioner of police is taking place at all levels of society - a good sign, as Jamaicans are beginning to wake up to the reality that every day, things change, and so do expectations of people. Jamaicans are expecting that whoever is selected for the job will be the best person who can make a meaningful change for the betterment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the security of the citizens of the country

The Police Service Commission, the body with responsibility for selecting the new commissioner, has decided to advertise the position for which any candidate who considers himself/herself suitable can apply. This means that there is the possibility that someone outside the force could be selected as the new commissioner.

Of much concern in the public domain now is the approach taken by the Police Officers' Association towards the possibility of someone outside their ranks being selected as commissioner. It would appear that these officers are trying by their utterances to put pressure on the Police Service Commission to select one from their ranks. Talk in the streets is that police officers outside the officer ranks are prepared to support their senior ranks and withdraw their support if an outsider is selected.

speaking with senior officer

I had the opportunity of speaking with a very senior officer of the force since talk has started about advertising the vacancy and the possibility of someone from the ranks not being selected. I have known this officer for a long time and I regard him as an honest, ethical human being. I know his rank. I asked him his age and how long he had been in the force and in particular, how long he had been in the senior ranks. Without hesitation he answered my questions.

I asked whether he supported the thinking that the vacancy should not be advertised and that the position should be filled from the existing senior ranks of which he was a member. His response was a studied one. He said he had always supported discipline in all walks of life and that those who encouraged indiscipline should not be placed in positions where discipline was a prerequisite to good order. The force is crying out for discipline from the top to the bottom, he said, and the utterances of his colleagues support his views. He supports the decision of the Police Service Commission to advertise the vacancy and expresses the view that the whole force needs to renew itself and embrace change to deal with what has been taking place in Jamaica.

corruption the order of the day

According to the officer, corruption in all ranks is the order of the day. How do you know that? I asked him. "Sir," he replied. "I know the salary of every rank in the force and there is no one in the force who can own three and four houses on the current salaries being paid. People know what is going on, but if you open your mouth you are likely to end up at Dovecot," he said. According to this person, the public is not aware of even a half of the ills affecting the force, and he said he was not talking about the lack of things like arms and vehicles.

When one hears stories like these, then it becomes very clear that things cannot continue the way they have been going. Whoever is selected to lead the force must realise that a heavy burden awaits him/her. That individual's work must involve actions which indicate commitment to the achievement of the country's and the organisation's goals: timely and effective discharge of operational and organisational duties and obligations; working effectively with others, including the people of this country; compliance with and active support of organisational goals, rules and policies.

unflattering image of jcf

All Jamaica is aware of the fact that effort was made not so long ago to change the culture of indiscipline in the JCF. Though some effort was made, the view is that very little support came from certain quarters. As a result, instead of things getting better, they seem to have got worse. In the eyes of the people of Jamaica, whom the JCF is expected to protect, the image of that organisation is far from pretty, and every single member with any sense of pride should welcome any change (including the selection of one from outside their ranks) which showcases the force as a disciplined, ethical and cohesive organisation - an organisation whose members respect themselves and respect those whom they swear to protect.

Finally, may I use the analogy of an orchestral conductor to describe the quality of the leadership process. An effective leader resembles an orchestra conductor in some ways. He/she has to somehow get a group of potentially diverse and talented people - many of whom have strong personalities - to work together toward a common output. Will the conductor harness and blend all the gifts his or her players possess? Will the players accept the degree of creative expression they each have? Will the audience enjoy the sound they make? The conductor should have a clear determining influence on all of these questions.

The wider society of Jamaica, for all intents and purposes, is not happy with the sounds coming from the members of the JCF. What is coming out is neither discipline nor leadership.