Replace 'police informer' with CAPTAIN
Published:Saturday | March 1, 2014 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
While I embrace Minister Phillip Paulwell's support for the police as an example of a joint effort in thwarting crime, I, however, object to the referencing of himself as a 'police informer'.
Being labelled as such attracts a historical negativity, especially among marginalised communities, where crime spirals out of control because of neglect and social inequalities.
The stigma that is associated with being called a police informer may not resonate well with citizens, especially those who live in those areas.
As such, the minister, in his leadership capacity as member of parliament of Kingston Eastern and Port Royal, should have coined a phrase or an acronym with which all people can see as positive. Psychologically, this would be the best approach in starting to dismantle the stigma of police informer.
One that comes to mind is the acronym, CAPTAIN: Citizens And Police Tactical Approach I N-itiative. A captain is a position of power, and citizens should be made aware that power and responsibility are in their own hands to chart a course of upward mobility.
PAUL WILLIAMS
Toronto, Canada