Garth Rattray

My heartiest congratulations to retired former Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, on his appointment as the new Commissioner of Police. I've been somewhat acquainted with Hardley since my Jamaica Combined Cadet Force days (1968-1974). He's always been a no-nonsense, above board, amiable, conscientious type of person. Yet, in spite of Hardley's obvious expertise in matters of national security and his proven track record as an exemplary leader, I thought that the Police Service Commission would have found at least one capable candidate from within the Jamaica Constabulary Force to fill the post left vacant by the early retirement of Commissioner Lucius A. Thomas.

Be that as it may, many are now looking to Commissioner Lewin to provide strong leadership for the force, stamp out corruption, change the image of the force and reduce our crime rate. That's a tall order for any mortal. It is manifestly unfair for us to expect any one individual (be it a new Prime Minister, a new Minister of National Security or a new Commissioner of Police) to solve our crime problem. No single group (be it a new political party, revamped police force or British experts) can stamp out crime. Ridding our land of this scourge is going to demand a consolidated group effort on the part of the Government and citizens alike.

Bringing in 'outsiders'

The unorthodox approach of bringing in 'outsiders' into the constabulary has yet to prove successful. Many clamoured for the hiring of outside police officers to come here and use their (undeniable) expertise to squelch crime. Several of our perceived saviours arrived, and they are hard at work, 2007 not only saw the usual, ridiculously high murder rate and high number of unsolved murders, it also gained the dubious distinction of being the year in which the greatest number of police was murdered (at least 20 so far) and the highest ranking police officer was killed (Assistant Commissioner of Police Gilbert Kameka).

People used to blame Mr. K.D. Knight for our high crime rate so Dr. Peter Phillips was handed control of the Ministry of National Security. In spite of his genuine efforts, the crime rate only increased. Interestingly, when our new Minister of National Security Derrick Smith was interviewed at the scene of ACP Kameka's murder, he inadvertently made people realise the gravity of our situation when he proclaimed that we must not panic. His attempt to calm the public made many panic because they began to grasp the vulnerability of the police force and, by extension, the entire nation.

Out of desperation, some are advocating that the controversial Senior Super-intendent of Police Reneto Adams be reassigned to frontline duties. Others are proposing that soldiers actively 'police' our streets. Some are asking for a merger of the constabulary and the JDF. Many are crying out for the resumption of hanging. Every new idea and every new appointment reeks of an anticipation of a 'miracle cure' for our country's major 'illness' - crime and violence. And, so far, there has only been overwhelming disappointment.

Addressing criminality

We must use our Jamaican resourcefulness to address the root cause of criminality - our dysfunctional society. The 'miracle' solution to crime lies within every Jamaican. The Ministry of National Security cannot stop crime on its own. All Government ministries must contribute to the anti-crime effort and individuals must start within their own families and communities with discipline, respect, obedience of our laws and reporting criminals to the authorities. Without self-reliance, we are doomed.