Who will police the police under the new demerit system?

THE EDITOR, Madam:
As Jamaica prepares for the roll-out of the Demerit Point System on October 1, 2026, many citizens are hopeful that this new component of the Road Traffic Act will curb reckless behaviour on our roads. The system is intended to track traffic offences and suspend the licences of habitual offenders, an important step towards improving public safety.
However, its success depends on public trust, and that trust is undermined by the perception of selective enforcement. Many Jamaicans are concerned about whether law-enforcement officers themselves will be held accountable.
I have personally witnessed police vehicles operating with defective lights and other breaches of the Road Traffic Act without apparent consequence. On one occasion, an officer told me they had to drive the vehicles provided to them. On another, I reported a defective police vehicle to the former head of the Traffic Division. Such incidents are not isolated. We routinely see officers using cell phones while driving and failing to wear seat belts, despite the laws they are sworn to enforce.
Equally troubling is the increasing use of unmarked police vehicles equipped with blue lights that cut through heavy traffic during peak hours. While officers may be carrying out legitimate duties, the frequent use of these privileges raises questions about accountability and public safety.
This leaves a glaring question: who will police the police?
The Jamaica Constabulary Force maintains that officers are subject to internal disciplinary measures for traffic violations. Yet public scepticism remains. Too often, officers appear to act with impunity, eroding confidence in the very institutions responsible for upholding the law.
If the new system is to be effective, it cannot be a one-way street. The law must apply equally to civilians and members of the police force. Transparent and independent oversight is essential to ensure that no one enjoys immunity from accountability.
The final word: complaints without solutions are merely hot air. Jamaica should consider mandatory defensive-driving courses, similar to programmes in New York that reward safer driving habits. Such a measure would provide both police officers and civilians with a rehabilitative pathway while promoting safer roads for everyone.

H. JOHNSON