The Editor, Sir:

The naming of Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington to act as commissioner has hardly surprised the public after all the indications in the media. It has, to some extent, reinforced public perception that the Government has finally got its choice in the chair.

While this is all perception, it is important for the acting commissioner, who seems likely to get the job and who is well qualified and has a record of achievement, to move quickly to motivate the police force, which has been under siege lately, and to dispel any feeling that he is a political appointee.

I suggest that in this effort he has to continue to lobby for the necessary legislative changes, for example, the taking of DNA, amendments to the Bail Act, plea-bargaining, and a national registration system. Also, the implementation of the recommendations agreed on from the strategic review of the police force, for which work has already started, must be fast-tracked.

Politicians inside Parliament who have been talking through both sides of their mouths must be pressured to implement the measures that they have talked about for years. They must be made to understand that this will enhance the force's ability to fight crime. The politicians, especially the Govern-ment, must be made to understand that crime-fighting measures are guided by policy direction, and that it goes beyond the provision of a new commissioner, guns, vehicles etc.

Inside the force, over which he has control, Ellington will have to exert his authority from the get-go and demand accountability from his officers and the federated ranks. Performance standards with outcome indicators must be set and adhered to. Other issues of corruption, rewards and welfare matters must also be given his full and equal attention.

demand action

Some of his actions in these efforts, I am sure, will not find favour with many persons. He will soon find that life at the top is, indeed, lonely, but he must remain unwavering in his resolve to do the job.

Any failure to demand action from the Government on the measures highlighted here and to lift the morale of members of the force will, unfortunately, see him go the same way as some of his predecessors.

I am, etc.,

MARK BENNETT

presbent@yahoo.com