Dear Editor,

I am forced to write to you as a matter of principle with a view of setting the record straight based on your editorial (May 7, 2014) in which you quoted that you have written in the past recommending the merger of the JCF and the ISCF, and that you are now happy to see it come to pass. You admit, though, that from all indications it seems as if they were not fully prepared for it as uniforms and other things seem to not be readily available for a smooth transition.

The fact is, yes, a number of reports have been done in the past recommending the merger, but not all of them recommended this route. In fact, at least three of the reports state that ISCF is a useful organisation and that the force should be reorganised and the ISCF of given specific functions to relieve the JCF certain functions so they can fight serious crimes. The Government of P J Patterson made some changes on November 17, 1997.

Specials were mandated to serve judges, security of foreign missions and homes and government buildings; serving summonses and any court-related documents. When this Cabinet decision was put into effect in 2002, the ambits were broadened to include agriculture and environmental patrol, anti-vending, and games warden duties during bird season. A document was later sent to the commandant of the ISCF from the Ministry of National Security (#17) dated April 23, 2007 setting out the operating guidelines of both the JCF and the ISCF to avoid conflict.

What I can say is that the special did well, the training was first-class, and attracted several bright men and women with degrees. This, to me, became the envy of the JCF. This resulted in the ‘abandonment’ of the ISCF.

I must remind everyone that more than once the members of the JCF staged industrial action and had it not been for the specials Jamaica would be left without police for a while. What is the country’s contingency plan now?

My recommendation: leave the forces as they were. Let them each do their respective jobs.

Ardent Reader

Jamaica