Business leaders say the country is left more concerned about the management of law and order within the country, following what should have been a session to demonstrate unification and leadership among the leaders of the Ministry of National Security.
The PSOJ in a statement today (Jan 8) says eight days into the New Year, there are some thirty-eight murders, an unfortunate rumour and uncertainty regarding the continued employment of Commissioner George Quallo.
he business leaders say the apparent division between the minister and the commissioner communicates negatively to the business community and wider citizens.
The PSOJ says it deplores the uncertainty and apparent absence of an effective and strategic crime fighting plan and the emergence of what it calls the ugly spectre of political interference.
PSOJ President Howard Mitchell says there is need for a national approach to fight crime and both the government and opposition must say how they will deal with the problem.
Meantime, the PSOJ says if there is a question of the performance of the Police Commissioner, Jamaicans need to know that due process is being observed and that the established professional channels for action are being pursued.
The group says it looks forward to receiving an update on the issues from the Ministry of National security, adding that there needs to be urgent and clear communication to the public of a stable leadership which has the safety and security of the public as its primary concern.
It adds that the rumours and uncertainty do not allow for increased confidence in the management of the nation’s security at this time.
The PSOJ adds that it anticipates the findings of the report into Palisadoes Road incident, as it believes that a fair assessment must be conducted and the country advised.
And the Opposition People’s National Party wants Prime Minister Andrew Holness to intervene to address concerns raised by senior police officers about the relationship between the Ministry of National Security and the Police Commissioners office.
Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson says it views a statement from the Police Officers Association on the weekend, as having the gravest implications for national security in general and the fight against crime in particular.
The Opposition statement cited the concerns raised by the officers to include a continuous atmosphere of interference in the operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the attendant low morale among the leadership.
Mr. Jackson says this warrants the immediate intervention by the Prime Minister, saying otherwise the country faces further deterioration into chaos and anarchy.
The PNP adds that the National Security situation, with 1617 murders last year and a record start for 2018, makes it clear that the Minister of National Security, Robert Montague, cannot lead this fight and has lost the confidence of the police and the population as a whole.
Mr. Jackson is again calling on the minister to resign with immediate effect and provide the Prime Minister with a clean page to fight the crime monster.