At long last! Ellington acts no more

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Owen Ellington is now the commissioner of police. After acting in the highest position in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for more than three months, Ellington yesterday, at long last, affixed his signature to the letter of appointment prepared by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

A highly placed source told The Gleaner that Governor General Sir Patrick Allen approved the contract late yesterday.

The PSC is expected to make the announce-ment within days.

This latest development has brought the curtains down on the dramatic stalemate which existed between Ellington and the PSC over his proposed contract.

The 47-year-old career cop was tipped for the most sought-after position in the JCF following the resignation of Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin in November last year.

Eradicating corruption

There are early indications that the new police officer is moving to eradicate corruption from among the ranks of the JCF.

Information out of the Constabulary Communication Network revealed that since January this year, nearly 300 members of the JCF have had disciplinary measures taken against them by the Police High Command.

The actions range from reprimands to terminations.

Ellington has listed crime-reduction, with special emphasis on murder, as his priority for the period he leads the JCF.

He has said that special attention would be placed on a murder-reduction strategy, focusing on coordinated counter-gang operations allied with aggressive road policing.

According to him, the restoration of public safety and confidence would be "visibly manifest by an increase in beat and motorised patrols in public spaces where there are usually large concentrations of people".

He listed bus parks, shopping districts, markets and banking areas as public spaces where there would be increased police presence.

Ellington has also targeted criminal gangs.

This is in harmony with the focus of National Security Minister Dwight Nelson.