THE EDITOR, Sir:

I had the pleasure of interviewing Senior Superintendent of Police Radcliffe Lewis last Friday, and he was hoarse from the flu. Imagine my surprise, therefore, when in the early hours of Sunday morning, I, saw him in Trelawny directing traffic to ease the jam coming out of the Jamaica Jazz Festival ... and you know how we Jamaicans fear dew when we are not well! But there he was, leading from the front as usual.

I heard, or read, recently that he will be retiring this year. That news is really disappointing as SSP Lewis has brought a level of exuberance, professionalism, openness, discipline and civility to the Traffic Division.

One is even hearing, on a regular basis, how polite most of the cops who stop drivers, even those committing infractions, are these days. I suspect it's because the head of the division is on the streets leading by example.

I hope when he retires and gets some well-deserved rest he will be brought back on contract until someone who can really fill his shoes is identified.

JOAN WILLIAMS

gratestj@gmail.com