The Editor, Sir:

This is in response to the Dennie Quill column 'Awful truth about the police', published on September 26:

Hi Dennie:

Regarding your column on September 26, I do concur that the police have no pride in their work. This is substantiated by the lack of commitment and the lacklustre performance on their job.

Sad to say, only few are exceptions. (Though it could be possibly more than few, but due to the negatives overriding the positives, it makes it difficult to see readily!) One should note that pride brings commitment and results in one excelling at one's task.

Preventing corruption

One way of preventing corruption is by having a thorough background check on recruits. Days gone by, those checks were conducted. Character references submitted on application are not enough. Sometimes, these letters are from persons who only know the grandparents or parents but know nothing about these individuals.

The corruption which is being exhibited is something they have come into the force with and the force only facilitates the growth of what already exists. Like those in high places, when members commit a crime, they get a slap on the wrist, sometimes even a pat on the back. They need to be dealt with harshly; the force needs to apply a no-tolerance approach to corruption and this should see fewer corrupted individuals applying.

We need to be proactive - money should be spent on preventing the recruitment of corruption. Then the integrity of the force and profession would be maintained. The approach is needed for almost all our professions, including places on boards, political assignments and for all jobs and professions.

In Jamaica, the time has come for an entity to be established to conduct private background checks when required to do so on persons who seek employment - no matter the field.

It would help to curb the level of corruption which affects our country today. It is my belief that it can be a deterrent as persons who act corruptly usually hate publicity.

I end on the note, that members of our force are selected from our very society and many parents of these corrupt individuals should be made answerable!

I am, etc.,

VAL MAC

vj0963@msn.com