“As a result, we are currently engaged in a
comprehensive thematic review on this subject, which we will complete within
the first half of 2016. Thereafter, as is our methodology, we intend to engage
the leadership and, most importantly, the rank and file of the JCF on this
critically important subject. Having in place a comprehensive fit-for-duty
policy is not in itself a panacea which will cure all the ills in the JCF”
CEO of PCOA Dave
McIntosh commenting on his recommendation in his October to December 2015
quarterly newsletter for a fit-for-duty testing for Jamaican Police
Member of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) aka
the Jamaican Police might soon have to start hitting the Gym.
This as a suggestion is being floated by the PCOA
(Police Civilian Oversight Authority) that if actioned, will require that they
be fit-for-duty as reported in the article “'Fit-for-duty'
policy proposed for cops”, published Friday January 22, 2016 by Edmond
Campbell, The Jamaica Gleaner.
The suggestion comes from CEO of PCOA Dave McIntosh,
who is in charge of a body I never even knew existed. As a quick background the
PCOA was established by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon.
Professor Kenneth Hall in August 21, 2006 to manage the resources of the
Jamaican Police and related bodies as reported in the article “Governor-General
Appoints Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority”, published by September 1,
2006, The Jamaica Information Service.
However, this makes his proposal, published in their
October to December 2015 quarterly newsletter, all the more interesting as he
presents a fresh perspective on the much maligned Jamaican Police.
In a nutshell he's basically proposing that even
long after graduating from the Police Academy, Jamaican Police will have to
pass a fit-for-duty test in order to remain in the force. The CEO of PCOA Dave
McIntosh acknowledged MOCA (Major Organised Crime Anti-Corruption Agency) and
other internal agencies of the force who had been working aggressively to curb
criminality within the JCF.
He's referring to reports of the Jamaican Police
being involved in criminal activity such as:
1. Robberies
2. Kidnapping
3. Attempts
to export ganja
4. Murder-suicides
He pointed out that more needed to be done before
problems occur, rather than after, quote: “Whereas these initiatives may be
good first steps, to us in civilian oversight they seem fragmented, lacking
comprehensive all-encompassing promulgation from the top of the organisation.
Additionally, they seem to be geared toward dealing with the problem 'after the
fact' or otherwise, after irreversible damage has been done to lives and the
image of the JCF”.
So what exactly would this fit-for-duty test entail?
PCOA
proposes fit-for-duty testing - Jamaican Police better when mentally and
physically fit
This fit-for-duty test would be aimed to do the
following:
1. Signs
of criminal and errant behaviour
2. Minimize
impact of depression and other psychological problems
Specifically the members of the JCF would under the
following tests as part of this fit-for-duty test:
1. Security
vetting
2. Basic
fitness test
3. Psychometric
tests
The Psychometric tests are clearly aimed at testing
for these psychological problems that may manifest as:
1. Uncontrolled
anger
2. Aggression
3. Stress
4. Susceptibility
to being bribed
5. Depression
Clearly, the PCOA is stating that Jamaican Police
perform better when mentally and physically fit.
Hopefully, this will also include a program of
healthy eating and free gym membership as many Jamaican Police are physically
unfit due to eating fast food, canned foods as well as packaged snacks high in
refined carbohydrates, fats and salt as explained in my blog article
entitled “How
UNFAO and IICA Reports indicate that Wealthy Jamaicans are malnourished”.
So why exactly is this needed in Jamaica at this
time?
PCOA
fit-for-duty to address Police criminality - Communities to benefit from
improved relations and fitter police
The PCOA is concerned about the high number of
Jamaica Police involved in criminal activity such as:
1. Robberies
2. Kidnapping
3. Attempts
to export ganja
4. Murder-suicides
Many have been involved in Shoot-outs with other JCF
members, an indication of the lack of respect for Law and order.
Murder-suicides, however, capture the attention of the PCOA, as they affect the
JCF more deeply, especially as the reason may be unknown.
Still there are doubters such as retired professor
of criminology Bernard Headley who claims that the fit-for-duty testing would
take second fiddle to extra-judicial killings, lack of equiptment and other
policing problem, quote: “Right now, I think the Jamaican public is more
concerned with institutional issues and problems relative to the larger society
and its relationship with the JCF primarily: Police corruption, police
impunity, and the bad to hostile relationships, and institutional distrust,
between the police, citizens and entire communities”.
To me, as a civilian who lives in the Swallowfield
area, I’m hoping that fit-for-duty testing is implemented, as it could
potential improve relations between the community and the Swallowfield Police
while improving the mental and physical health of the Jamaican Police.
This would mean more community policing to connect
with people instead of walking around, brandishing guns to deal with their
relational issues with inner city communities like Swallowfield and Mountain
View. There would also by more support from the Jamaican Police for sports
initiatives and events in a bid to build bridges with the members of the inner
city, such as people living in Swallowfield and Mountain View.
In the long run, if a fit-for-duty testing were
implemented then the Jamaica Police would have to basically remain both
physically and mentally fit to remain in the Force. Not to mention the
Government of Jamaica having to give the JCF members gym membership as well as
forcing all Jamaican Police to eat from a common canteen that serves health
food, free of cost!
Getting the Jamaican Police to actually fit into
their uniform will be the norm, as many of them are a bit overweight!
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