Dear Editor,

Whereas I agree with the view that Jamaica needs a strong leader, I think we need to be clear about what sort of strength it is that we require, as there are many interpretations of the word ‘strong’.

I once had the displeasure of interacting with a well-known don and realised that the only quality he had was the fact that he is a bully and the solution to dealing with bullies is to stand up to them and make sure that they are fully aware that you are not afraid of them … more

Dear Editor,

I write to express my support for Mr Reneto Adams as police commissioner. This is a complete 180-degree turn from where I stood a few days ago, and it came about after listening to him on a radio interview. Mr Adams was articulate and seemed quite capable of leading the police force … more

WITH all his flamboyance and obvious flaws, retired Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, for good or ill, represents for many Jamaicans someone who they believe can make a contribution to the containment of crime. The call for Adams is an index of their frustration and level of desperation, but also a signal of hope that in him the situation can be redressed. There is something to be said about his continued popularity among the ordinary citizens of Jamaica and even among some upper crusts who would not want to acknowledge it publicly, but who believe in the security that his kind of policinig represents. His fearlessness in standing up to the criminal elements is the primary factor in this continuing admiration … more

Dear Editor,

This is in response to your November 22 news item ,”No go for Reneto”. It was reported that Reneto Adams will not be considered for the position of commissioner because he does not meet the academic qualifications.

In addition, many believe that his aggressive leadership style is not in the best interest of the country … more

Dear Editor,

Experience has taught us that when any single part of the human body is injured or diagnosed with any complaint, the entire body cannot function effectively until medicine is administered.

The police force is one aspect of that example. It needs to rid itself of rampant corruption by the medicine of discipline and moral values guided by a commissioner with good leadership qualities and who will put the security of the nation above itself … more

Adams has reportedly responded to Smith’s comments, saying: “I think when they appointed Mr. Smith security minister it had the most horrible decision that has ever taken place in the history of Jamaica’s policing. His selection, in the first place, was horrible and that was even before he became ill and unable to function in the post.”

He has also reportedly pointed to the fact that groups have been created on Facebook and other social networking sites, and thousands of persons have been expressing support for him.

Dear Editor,

Your editorial on November 12 reflected undeniably logical content. There are many aspects to be considered when selecting a person for the post of commissioner of police and similar jobs. It is important to have someone with specialised training, good management skills, knowledge of the technology available to those engaged in the fight against crime and a host of other areas of expertise which serve to equip any successful crime fighter … more

Dear Editor,

Reneto Adams’ recent pronouncement that he would be applying for the position of commissioner of police is noteworthy. This denotes that although he has retired from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the nation’s security, or lack thereof, still continues to occupy a position of pre-eminence in his life.

There are contending views as to why the outgoing commissioner did not achieve the success that was expected – chief of which were that he came from outside the JCF and that he did not get the necessary level of support from its management team. Most persons believe, however, that capability was not the issue, but that there was a direct relationship between the lack of support and the notion that he was an ‘outsider’. And while both views may have been incorrect, this is the perception of the man in the streets … more