NEWS > 15 October 2007

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Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jam
15 October 2007

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Jamaica: Combating the dark si

As outlined in last week's article, our police force continues to be plagued, weakened and endangered by corruption and other illegal activities. In spite of well-organised programmes by the Staff College (on campus and at various Divisional Headquarters), motivational speeches and warnings by the top brass, several young constables are seduced by the dark side of the force annually. This not only leads to an erosion of morale, distrust and disrespect by the citizenry but also a compromise of our security.

According to the book Towards Understanding and Combating Police Corruption by Gareth Newham, greed, personal motivations, culture, peer and organisational socialisation, poor recruit selection, inadequate supervision/monitoring, unclear accountability and deficient discipline/sanctions all contribute to police corruption. It listed the types of police corruption as: turning a blind eye, misuse of power, bribery, extortion, kickbacks, selling of services (sometimes to criminals), deception (including perjury), theft and premeditated criminal acts.

Corrupt cops pressure and inculcate their neophyte colleagues into their version of the 'real world' of policing. They're told that their pay cannot adequately compensate them for the time, effort and risks that the job demands and that 'augmenting their income' is the only way to survive 'out ah grass' (in the harsh society). Tainted superiors and rogue 'squaddies' (classmates) employ every conceivable coercive techniques from bullying to ridicule in order to turn colleagues to a life of turpitude.

Corrupt cops school rookies in aggression, intimidation, excessive force, extrajudicial killings, other illegal practices and how to cover up wrongdoing. Others introduce them to their patsies ('robot' minibus, illegal route taxis and other 'businesses' operating under police protection). Some newcomers acquiesce under pressure, out of fear, need or greed. They are then accepted as a member of the 'club' and enjoy the favour, trust and protection of others within that group.

Plans

Anti-crime plans from both political parties include: beefing up the constabulary, upgrading the Police Academy (to full university status), providing more specialist training, implementing national work standards, establishing a police reserve force, improving forensics, closer supervision, an assault on corruption and non-performance, among many others. But, combating the dark side of the Force will require more intervention.

Good pay, benefits and improved working conditions are a necessity. Ill-discipline correlates well with corruption; therefore, absenteeism, tardiness and misuse of public equipment must not go unpunished. The Force is very deficient in proper supervision and mentorship of probationers (rookies). This is the most vulnerable time in a cop's career. This is when seduction and recruitment into bad police practices take place.

Besmirched, inundated

Although a lot of effort has been put into training, the force remains besmirched and inundated with breaches of ethics and human rights. Frequent sting operations, rotations and surprise inspections are essential. Independent civilian oversight is needed. Serious, well-publicised, swift consequences of corruption and illegal acts must be instituted.

The academy is already fully engaged in structured education but additional seminars, symposia, workshops, meetings and classes in: personal finance planning, family planning, family values, ethics, psychology, communication, interpersonal relationships and human rights are obviously needed. These could be provided with the assistance of private organisations sensitive to the need to rid the force of the negatives that badly compromise our safety and progress as a nation.

Good policing is so essential to our security and development that perhaps the constabulary could pattern our doctors and nurses. By law, they require regular re-certification in order to practise their profession. If countries like South Africa and Singapore could significantly reduce police corruption, so can we.

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Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jam15 October 2007

Jamaica: Combating the dark si

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Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston,Jam
15 October 2007