senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[evanovitch]

A senior police officer yesterday claimed that the contracts offered to foreign cops now serving the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were uneven compared to those offered to their local counterparts and blasted the arrangement as wicked.

At the same time, Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Rose, the outgoing chairman of the Police Officers Association (POA), urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) to review the terms and conditions of the contracts.

According to Rose, fairness and equity demand that the terms and conditions that guarantee tenureship and remuneration based on similarity of rank should be equal to all.

" The present arrangement is iniquitous. It is wrong from the level of the commissioner to the commissioning ranks and we (POA) find this unacceptable," Rose told the POA's annual general meeting at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.

"An examination of the terms and conditions of contracts proposed for local officers, vis-a-vis those offered to our foreign colleagues, speaks of a disparity unprecedented in the history of modern times," said Rose.

Three British cops are now employed on contract to the JCF. They are Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner in charge of crime; assistant commissioners Les Green, who handles serious and organised crime under Shields' portfolio; and Paul Robinson, who heads the firearms and coastal control portfolio.

Under a new arrangement in the police force, officers from the rank of assistant commissioner up to commissioner are required to sign contracts.
Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas has already signed his contract, which runs for three years.

Yesterday, Rose said that while the POA was not averse to contracts, which have already been given to some officers, there must be three fundamental principles of employment. He listed them as fairness and equity, a disengagement clause consistent with labour relations and industrial practices, and a process of natural justice.

He questioned the relevance of drug and polygraph tests which, he said, were included in the contracts of local police officers, asking how they could address efficiency and effectiveness.

"A contract which is individualistic in its negotiating process and content is a recipe for disunity, distrust, disloyalty, and will ultimately undermine the core principles on which the organisation is built," said Rose. "Any sensible contractual arrangement within such an organisation must be done in conformity with the recognised bargaining, but in an equitable and transparent manner."

He said it was nonsensical to demand greater levels of effectiveness and efficiency in the JCF when the present contracts offered do not address training and development and the resources necessary to achieve targets that can be accurately measured against expected performances.

[wolmersboy]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

It's good to hear from one of the JCF's own on this whole business of bringing in foreigners to RUN the local police department. The more I hear about this arrangement, the less I like about it.
Good post! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[ QUOTE ]
It's good to hear from one of the JCF's own on this whole business of bringing in foreigners to RUN the local police department. The more I hear about this arrangement, the less I like about it.
Good post! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70409-waytogo.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Did they complain then and are they just continuing to make illiterate noises in the media and other places?
When all this was going down what exactly did they say?
Not only that it is more a reflection on them than on the Foreigners that after nearly well over a century of policing and after 40+ of Independence the incompetent JCF has had to be augmented in its most senior ranks with foreigners?

The ministry said they are paying the foreigners nat a dalla more. So let's see what Leon and Co. have to say now.

[wolmersboy]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

If I'm not mistaken, this is all a very recent development. I don't have the source material readily available. Maybe Evanovitch can back me up on this?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

Black UK cops overlooked
published: Sunday | June 18, 2006


- RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
George Rhoden (left), chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association of the United Kingdom, and Lee Jasper, senior policy advisor on equalities for the Mayor of Greater London, at the Jamaica Diaspora Conference on June 15.

Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

IN THE same week that outgoing chairman of the Police Officers' Association (POA), Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Rose, complained about the higher salaries being paid to British detectives recruited to his rank, black officers from Scotland Yard are claiming they did not get a fair opportunity to apply for those same positions.

Lee Jasper, an advisor on race and policing matters to London Mayor Ken Livingstone, questioned why "premium secondments" were not directly offered to officers from within the diaspora. The recruitments - jointly funded by the United Kingdom and Jamaican Governments, together with the local private sector - are intended to speed up the modernisation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Jasper was speaking to The Sunday Gleaner at the two-day Jamaica Diaspora Conference, which was held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. "However well-intentioned the Jamaican and British governments have been in these recruitments, they have to be careful this doesn't reinforce the institutional racism within the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) by precluding experienced black officers who can make a real contribution," said Mr. Jasper.

"We are talking about Jamaican officers from Jamaican families who have a good understanding of what to expect," he added.

Inspector George Rhoden, the chairman of the Black Police Association (BPA), is one such officer of Jamaican descent. Also attending the conference, Insp. Rhoden offered a firm 'no' as to whether the BPA was approached.

AN OPEN PROCESS

But Gilbert Scott, permanent-secretary in the Ministry of National Security said the selection of British officers was carried out by the Police Services Commission and as far as he knows, was "an open process".

"We acted on the advice of our international partners, the Metropolitan Police Service in London. We advertised in what was considered the trade magazines in the security industry," he said.

He explained that Jane's Magazine was one such highly-recommended publication said to be widely read in the international security circles.

"It was an open process; The selection was done by the Police Services Commission. It is their mandate to make those appointments," said Scott.

But Inspector Rhoden, who has over 26 years of policing experience, maintains he has not seen the advertisement.

He said they were placed in British policing journals, but these are mostly circulated to senior areas of the police service and by the time it filters down the places are filled.

The advertisements asked for officers of the rank of superintendent, which are two ranks above inspector. But Inspector Rhoden says he and other black officers below the rank of superintendent are of sufficient competence with there being only a small group of black officers above that rank.

"We needed to have had fairer access to these advertisements. To accomplish the objectives we need to see a more diverse task force with other suitably-qualified individuals who are ideally Jamaican officers," he added.

He said he welcomed the strategy of recruiting foreign officers and expressed his respect for the work being carried out by those British officers now serving as Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Police.

Three of the four positions at ACP level, which were advertised in international policing magazines, have been filled by white British officers with a fourth, due to work in anti-corruption, deciding not to sign his contract.

John McLean is ACP in charge of Community Policing and Crime; ACP Paul Robinson is with the Operations and Firearms Unit and ACP Green, homicide and serious crime investigation.

They join Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields who was seconded from Scotland Yard over a year ago.

[evanovitch]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

if the ministry is paying the same salary to expatriates, it would be a first in the history of the West Indies and it would also mean that the cops( yaad ones) r making a hell of a lot of money plus perks.... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

it is one thing to say at the getgo that u r bringing in outside help to train in areas of weakness etc, but is a whole odda ting to be actively recruiting and hiring wid a view for longterm position and employment which, when u read about the recent discussions between the minista and the British sub- counterpart [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img], u have to realise dat we hiring outside help for the long haul

none r going to Jamaica for less or even what they made in England, and face it, salaries in that field in England r not alll that great to start with...so u know that there has to be incentive to get them to come....nice house, maid service, colonial type living is good yes, but given the crime scenario, battlezone pay muss be being given

for the cops to be tawking out at this point, is in line with the earlier feeling that this was gwine to be temporary and these people were going to be adjuncts so to speak to Jamaican counterparts

but the reality is that u have an expat who makes policy speeches and is more visible than his Commissioner, and with the recent declaration that more r to be brought in, ostensibly for the cricket tyrie ( but we know dem a go stay)is ongle right dat dem should now cawl foul....

u gi man an man di benefit of the doubt and now dat dem showing dat dem a heng u wid di long rope, no time fi now cawl dem pon it....at least , u gave them the chance to show dem hands, good or bad....dem draw card pon u, u lay ur trumps pon di table too...

dat is how mi a see it and to date, dem naw let mi dung wid how dem a behave [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[Tuff Gong]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[ QUOTE ]
Black UK cops overlooked
published: Sunday | June 18, 2006

"We acted on the advice of our international partners, the Metropolitan Police Service in London. We advertised in what was considered the trade magazines in the security industry," he said.

He explained that Jane's Magazine was one such highly-recommended publication said to be widely read in the international security circles.

"It was an open process; The selection was done by the Police Services Commission. It is their mandate to make those appointments," said Scott.

But Inspector Rhoden, who has over 26 years of policing experience, maintains he has not seen the advertisement.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just goes to show that if you wah hide something from.....peple put it inna a book or an ad in this case.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[ QUOTE ]
it is one thing to say at the getgo that u r bringing in outside help to train in areas of weakness etc, but is a whole odda ting to be actively recruiting and hiring wid a view for longterm position and employment which, when u read about the recent discussions between the minista and the British sub- counterpart [img]/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img], u have to realise dat we hiring outside help for the long haul

none r going to Jamaica for less or even what they made in England, and face it, salaries in that field in England r not alll that great to start with...so u know that there has to be incentive to get them to come....nice house, maid service, colonial type living is good yes, but given the crime scenario, battlezone pay muss be being given

[/ QUOTE ]

Evano I have been following this from the get go. Leon and Co. knew the same then as they now, which was not much, but that the Hue-Man Shields and the Farrin Posse would be over priced and over here for a minute. Take it from me I have been following this from day one.

The Federation did lick out and the same Leon of the so and the Officer Class came out and calm dem dung. Now that him stepping dung him licking out. The guy is a joker and a loser at that. The foreigners were brought here not to solve anything but what was going on in said JCF, that is the problem.

What Leon and co. should be worried about is how this Hue-Man Shield has become a media hound and a spoke person for every rank and file cop, security guards and DC in Jamaica while showing very little in the way of progress in solving crime.

I mean scraping up the usual suspects, penning them in a barb wire fence in the hot sun, shooting up Tivoli and eradicating Bulbie is what Bad-Adams and CMU crew did for a living, solving crime is much more than shoot dung, beat dung and spin.

Leon Rose and the Hue-Man Shields are both irrelevant this minute except to the corrupt GOJ of Jamaica and their acolytes.

GOJ to Leon....Nat a dalla more!

[Morpheous]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

You all made some valid observations and to be honest it sound like a chicken and egg scenario. Jamaica had a long good run to sort out the mess and until now no progress. They tried the eradication squad approach etc. and that didn't work either. They call in foreign assistance yet they are looked upon negatively. Ofcourse no one of us living abroad would give a good or normal paying job to go Jamaica and help sort out the mess unless incentives are offered. many have families too.

Maybe the JDF and other should welcome them and stop winging. Work with their daisporas (assuming they are Jamaicans working abroad) to and learn something that could benefit the DF and Jamaica.

Sometimes when I hear these claims I wonder if a hint of jealousy isn't inn there somewhere.

[evanovitch]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

u know, if u trace the failure of our police force u gwine to come to the realization that the powers that be never encouraged it to be an independent law governing body

everyting was at the beck , call and intervention of some supposed 'higher' power outside the force...if not the politician , den di politician on the behest of a big fren....

wat is wrong now, is dat di said mentality , i.e. source of people, who no longer tek orders or hang on to patronage from 'big' man in the political arena, the ganglang arena....is di said source for the average policeman....dem no fear no one but demself and dat is why dem have to be going outside di country fi get 'fresh' attitude...di ongle problem is dat dere is nothing fresh about these colonial types...di said feelings dem ha fi West Indians etal a England is di said ones dem a bring a yaad...we can blind ourselves to that reality but it exists ...dat is why in the year 2006 u still hearing about wat u hear there

outside help is neva gwine to help until inside adjustments r done cross the board....cause outside help has ALWAYS held a STRONGARM attitude, saying dat self governing proves ongle FIRM COLONIAL TYPE ATTITUDE works

tink on dat fi a minit....

[Tuff Gong]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes when I hear these claims I wonder if a hint of jealousy isn't inn there somewhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think it is jealously so much as a smoke screen to hide their inefficiencies.
The former Commissioner of Police of the JCF said the force was corrupt. The Former Prime Minister of Jamaica said the force was corrupt. The current Commissioner of Police of the JCF says the force is corrupt.

The historical use of the State security apparatus to beat brutalize, oppress and suppress the rights and freedoms of the Jamaican Citizens (today is another anniversary in the sordid tale of repression in Jamaica using the State Agents.... The State of Emergency was on this date 30 years ago) have left the JCF weak in the face of crime and unable to tackle their political masters upfront, so Leon and Co. is just leaning on weak fences.
The Foreigners and the Human Rights Activists are perceived to be the weak fences.

The other thing is what is so strange about this. The current iteration of the GOJ has consistently favoured foreigners and at greater remuneration than locals. Leon and company as citizens of Jamaica has sat down and accepted that, why are they now only complaining when the shoe is now squeezing them?

Leon is a Top Officer and a lawyer, take the matter to the courts since he feels so wronged.

[evanovitch]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

btw...meant to mention this...i read somewhere today, that the govt claims it ongle pays a part of the outside help police salaries...

which begs me to ask, 'den is who dem loyalty is to? ..an if dis makes security info available to the part payers?'

cause nobody or no govament no do anyting altruistic dese days...especially wen di said govament strap fi money fi spend pon its own services at home...and face it, Britain aint exactly Bill Gates kind of wealth these days [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[Morpheous]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

Gong and Evan I hear yuh guys loud and clear. I think outside help should be sought ONLY if there are NO internal solutions and expertise available.

On the other hand IF oustside help is obtained, the GOJ should make sure it pools from sources abroad where the officers they will be working with or commissioning have the best interest of Jamaican secuirty at heart and loyalties with Jamaica. Anything less is unacceptable.

There are many officers in the UK of Afro-Caribbean and Jamaican background that would probably do a good job given the chance, since the glass cieling is in place in the UK where their careers are concerned - and not necessarily bringing a colonial scenario with them.

Afro-Caribbeans in the UK have moved on tremendously and are far more sophisticated and modernised than the old school victorian colonial stereotype many Jamaicans back home still have in their minds of England. The top hats and tales and horse and buggie stereotypes needs to be purged out of peoples minds... those days have long long gone.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

[wolmersboy]

Re: senior cop blasts contracts afforded Britons

That cartoon says it all! Nice post!

One more question: Why did the Government reach out all the way to England when they could have tapped the expertise of the FBI or the Royal Canadian Mounties for a hell of a lot less money?