Editorial
So James Clarkson is back within the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) for another stint.
Mr. Clarkson has been recalled to undertake a mission that is not similar to what he had to do back in the days of the 1979-83 Grenada Revolution of the then marxist rulers of the New Jewel Movement-led People's Revolutionary Government (PRG).
In those days, the police were merely used as a back-up unit to the People's Revolutionary Army (PRA) which was mandated to look after the entire security needs of the State.
It is a good decision made in the circumstances by new Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to look to experience in the person of Mr. Clarkson in an effort to try and help rebuild the image of our law enforcement officers.
The new Chief cannot be accused of being a supporter of either Congress or the former New National Party (NNP) government of ex-Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
GRENADA TODAY is confident that Mr. Clarkson will be able to re-instill a sense of discipline that is so badly lacking in the force at this point in time.
His immediate task will be to bring an end to the deep division within RGPF not only at the level of the High Command but among the rival camps of NDC and NNP supporters.
There is evidence around of disunity among some members of the top echelons of the force with a few Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) not on speaking terms with each other.
Mr. Clarkson will have to call in the parties concern, read the riot act to them, and if they fail to co-operate then the marching orders should be given to them.
The watch word should be "Zero Tolerance" to those officers who are on the payroll of taxpayers and not living up to expectations.
The State just cannot continue to carry on the payroll those police officers who are not performing up to mark. The days of free lunches are long gone and over with.
Our politicians are reviewed every five years and serious mechanisms must be put in place to do away with police officers who are failing to pull their weight. It is as simple as that.
This newspaper is confident that Clarkson will be given a free hand by Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Mr. Thomas to stamp his authority on the police force.
The new Prime Minister will not behave like his predecessor, Dr. Mitchell who was engaged in Micro-management of every State apparatus.
It was Mitchell's style of leadership that contributed to the non performance of the two last Police Commissioners, Fitzroy Bedeau and Winston James.
It is sad but the two gentlemen turned out to be followers who waited on instructions from the Botanical Gardens rather than initiate anything on their behalf.
Our suspicion is that James Clarkson will be a far different person. He will lead the force and take decisive actions and not be a follower of anyone.
In addition, the new Commissioner is known to be a no-nonsense person and will be a strong disciplinarian within the force.
We expect a shake-up within the ranks of the force within the coming weeks and months with all those square pegs in round holes being put where they rightfully belong.
One of the issues to be revisited is the decision taken by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reinstate an officer who was convicted in the high court.
It is our hope that under Mr. Clarkson's guidance, there will be no favouritism in the force along political lines. Let those who labour benefit at the end of the day.
Mr. Clarkson is undoubtedly the person best suited to lead the police force at this point in time while the new rulers decide and contemplate on the future of RGPF.
Our preference is for the force to undergo a comprehensive overhaul as a long term policy with a view to rebuilding a police force that can become a professional unit that all and sundry can be proud.
The time has come for incentives to be given to attract better qualified persons within the force like lawyers and persons with scientific qualifications.
The bar has to be lifted. The days are long gone and over when a modern police force should be comprised mainly of persons who are looking for a job for the sake of employment.
