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Mark this one, Mr Shields
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
We are intrigued, and indeed surprised, after reading two contrasting pieces regarding some of the dynamics at play within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The first was a letter to the editor in last Friday's Observer which sought to defend the effectiveness and role of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Mark Shields, since joining the JCF in 2005. The second was a poignant quote attributed to former Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante some 50 years ago.
In an article by the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs in the Sunday Observer, Sir Alexander was quoted as saying: <u>"I strongly object to others coming here to get jobs which can be filled by capable Jamaicans. If we do not want to promote men in the Force, there are many men in the Jamaica Battalion who are able and willing to fill those jobs."</u>
Since the decision by the Government, championed by the current minister of national security, to employ international police officers (the first being Mr Shields, a divide has been created in the JCF.
Many members resent the fact that the Government found it necessary to employ foreigners, saying there are many capable and well-trained local officers who can do the job.
This anti-foreigner faction in the JCF strongly proffers the view, like Sir Alexander, that the presence of these overseas cops is a backward step for national development and ultimately the morale of the Constabulary.
Since arriving, Mr Shields has developed strong ties with the media and mostly the upper crust of society. He is proactive and uses media channels well to promote the JCF and, importantly, himself, developing many admirers who are willing to trumpet his cause. The well-coached and rehearsed letter writer in last Friday's Observer is an example.
The highly publicised Bob Woolmer murder has provided the opportunity for Mr Shields to place himself in the media spotlight internationally and locally, and, we believe, he is relishing it.
<span style="color: #660000">We are in agreement with Mr Shields that Mrs Gil Woolmer requires closure on how her husband died. But we have also heard the cries of many wives, husbands and other victims of crime right here in Jamaica who have not received this level of attention from our crime chief or, for that matter, the wider JCF.
No murder is more important than the other, and every murder requires closure in some way.</span> That is why we were are not encouraged by reports that Mr Shields and a team from the JCF will be going to South Africa to speak with the Woolmer family.
Such lofty objectives could just as easily be satisfied by the many phone calls Mr Shields has publicly stated he has made to her and other members of the family and the use of e-mail and/or Internet Messaging.
The Force should not sanction such an unwarranted use of public funds when Mr Shields reportedly could not find the time to attend the funeral service of a colleague from the Mobile Reserve Branch who lost his life while serving and protecting this country.
Such actions are incongruous with the principles of impartiality and fairness and we further suggest that no amount of posturing with the citizens of inner-city communities or walking hand-in-hand with children from the ghettos can remove this feeling.
You see, Mr Shields, Jamaica is a small place, and actions tend to always speak louder than words.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial...MR_SHIELDS_.asp <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>
______________
Mark this one, Mr Shields
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
We are intrigued, and indeed surprised, after reading two contrasting pieces regarding some of the dynamics at play within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
The first was a letter to the editor in last Friday's Observer which sought to defend the effectiveness and role of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Mark Shields, since joining the JCF in 2005. The second was a poignant quote attributed to former Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante some 50 years ago.
In an article by the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs in the Sunday Observer, Sir Alexander was quoted as saying: <u>"I strongly object to others coming here to get jobs which can be filled by capable Jamaicans. If we do not want to promote men in the Force, there are many men in the Jamaica Battalion who are able and willing to fill those jobs."</u>
Since the decision by the Government, championed by the current minister of national security, to employ international police officers (the first being Mr Shields, a divide has been created in the JCF.
Many members resent the fact that the Government found it necessary to employ foreigners, saying there are many capable and well-trained local officers who can do the job.
This anti-foreigner faction in the JCF strongly proffers the view, like Sir Alexander, that the presence of these overseas cops is a backward step for national development and ultimately the morale of the Constabulary.
Since arriving, Mr Shields has developed strong ties with the media and mostly the upper crust of society. He is proactive and uses media channels well to promote the JCF and, importantly, himself, developing many admirers who are willing to trumpet his cause. The well-coached and rehearsed letter writer in last Friday's Observer is an example.
The highly publicised Bob Woolmer murder has provided the opportunity for Mr Shields to place himself in the media spotlight internationally and locally, and, we believe, he is relishing it.
<span style="color: #660000">We are in agreement with Mr Shields that Mrs Gil Woolmer requires closure on how her husband died. But we have also heard the cries of many wives, husbands and other victims of crime right here in Jamaica who have not received this level of attention from our crime chief or, for that matter, the wider JCF.
No murder is more important than the other, and every murder requires closure in some way.</span> That is why we were are not encouraged by reports that Mr Shields and a team from the JCF will be going to South Africa to speak with the Woolmer family.
Such lofty objectives could just as easily be satisfied by the many phone calls Mr Shields has publicly stated he has made to her and other members of the family and the use of e-mail and/or Internet Messaging.
The Force should not sanction such an unwarranted use of public funds when Mr Shields reportedly could not find the time to attend the funeral service of a colleague from the Mobile Reserve Branch who lost his life while serving and protecting this country.
Such actions are incongruous with the principles of impartiality and fairness and we further suggest that no amount of posturing with the citizens of inner-city communities or walking hand-in-hand with children from the ghettos can remove this feeling.
You see, Mr Shields, Jamaica is a small place, and actions tend to always speak louder than words.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial...MR_SHIELDS_.asp <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> </div></div>
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