Jamaican News

Former Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields Recommends Outside Search

Mark Shields
Mark Shields

As the impact of the impending departure of Commissioners Dr. Carl Williams is being felt, there have been rapid developments in the matter.

Mark Shields, a former Scotland Yard top cop who was recruited from outside Jamaica and made Deputy Commissioner has since retired from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Shields has recommended that an outside search should be made to replace Dr. Carl Williams when he leaves in early 2017. Shields acknowledges that this decision could attract resistance from within the JCF. Mark Shields also said that he did not see anyone within the JCF suitable to replace Williams.

Novelette Grant

Ms. Novlette Grant is a 35 year veteran of the police force and has been appointed to act as commissioner. She is only the second woman to reach the rank of Deputy Commissioner and did apply to replace Owen Ellington when he suddenly departed. Dr. Carl Williams was selected instead of Grant. Now that Williams is leaving she (Novelette Grant) has been asked to act as commissioner for 90 days beginning January 7, 2017.

“I will apply for the job of Commissioner” she asserts in a radio interview monitored by Vision’s SIC recently.

Jevene Bent now retired did act as Commissioner of Police, and left as a deputy commissioner on her retirement.

New Police Service

There is talk about a new Police Act to transform the force into a Police Service … will Gant be able to effectively do so if appointed Commissioner?

Is Mark Shields, who is now married to a Journalist/lawyer Emily Crooks, correct when he said we should look outside to replace Dr. Carl Williams? After all he is from the belly of the beast.

Let us get your feedback, please.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.

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