Officers back Ellington

Debbie-Ann Wright, News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

The officer ranks of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have stated their full support for Commissioner, Owen Ellington, continuing as head of the organisation.

Last week, the People’s National Party Youth Organisation, said the police commissioner should resign, in light of the country’s rising murder figures and recent extra-judicial killings by the police.

The group argued the Commissioner had failed to provide adequate leadership to address these issues.

In a release late last night, the Police Officer’s Association pledged to support Commissioner Ellington in every area possible.

They say they strongly believe he is the best person at this time to successfully effect the changes necessary for a better Police Force.

The officers said they are of the view that the recent call for the resignation of Commissioner Ellington is based on spurious grounds devoid of the relevant facts.

The Police Officers Association noted that the recent resignation calls have been spurred by the killing of a pregnant woman, by a policeman in St. Thomas.

However, it argued that the incident is an aberration and not symptomatic of the good work, routinely done by the majority of the approximately 14,000 members of the force.

The officers noted that, over the last 15 years, the Force has implemented a robust use of force policy, which it says permeates every stage of the development of members.

They also pointed to initiatives by the police commissioner to raise awareness of the policy and ensure implementation.

They say since Commissioner Ellington assumed office in 2009, there has been a concerted effort to make the JCF and its auxiliaries more professional.

In addition, the officers noted that Commissioner Ellington has presided over two consecutive years of declines in major crimes, especially murders.

As a result, they say they stand in full support of the reforms and modernisation plans of Commissioner Ellington.

radio@gleanerjm.com