The Opposition Leader for National Security's Message
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Opposition Spokesman on National Security and Justice
I welcome the opportunity to contribute a message to your annual report, during this positive new era of national security and policing. The Jamaica Police Federation has been a source of information, consolation and inspiration for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for the past 70 years and will, no doubt, continue to be a critical element in the success of the force, as it seeks to transform itself to become more efficient in carrying out its duties and more effective in controlling crime and violence. The central committee’s theme for this report, “embracing a new paradigm in policing through transformational leadership” is very descriptive. It suggests a full understating of the challenges of this new era, embracing the need for improving service to the public, based on the force's motto, “to serve, protect, reassure”, as well as acknowledging that, while the police is granted their authority by law, they need to earn their legitimacy from the public.
The current government has inherited a process of a police service under a new police management authority, which includes implementing a merger plan for the ISCF and the JCF; shifting emphasis from state security to citizen security; delegating more authority and responsibility to front line officers; and continuing the process of modernization, through increased use of technology.
However, neither government, the minister, nor the force can succeed in these tasks, without being inclusive enough to include all stakeholders, including the opposition, so as to be able to tap into the vast resource of knowledge and expertise that they can contribute to the process. I congratulate the Jamaica Police Federation on the contribution you have made over the past 70 years, and wish for you and your members good health, courage, faith and continued commitment to law and order in our country.
Derrick C. Smith
Opposition Spokesman on
National Security
Opposition Spokesman on National Security and Justice
I welcome the opportunity to contribute a message to your annual report, during this positive new era of national security and policing. The Jamaica Police Federation has been a source of information, consolation and inspiration for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for the past 70 years and will, no doubt, continue to be a critical element in the success of the force, as it seeks to transform itself to become more efficient in carrying out its duties and more effective in controlling crime and violence. The central committee’s theme for this report, “embracing a new paradigm in policing through transformational leadership” is very descriptive. It suggests a full understating of the challenges of this new era, embracing the need for improving service to the public, based on the force's motto, “to serve, protect, reassure”, as well as acknowledging that, while the police is granted their authority by law, they need to earn their legitimacy from the public.
The current government has inherited a process of a police service under a new police management authority, which includes implementing a merger plan for the ISCF and the JCF; shifting emphasis from state security to citizen security; delegating more authority and responsibility to front line officers; and continuing the process of modernization, through increased use of technology.
However, neither government, the minister, nor the force can succeed in these tasks, without being inclusive enough to include all stakeholders, including the opposition, so as to be able to tap into the vast resource of knowledge and expertise that they can contribute to the process. I congratulate the Jamaica Police Federation on the contribution you have made over the past 70 years, and wish for you and your members good health, courage, faith and continued commitment to law and order in our country.
Derrick C. Smith
Opposition Spokesman on
National Security