MONTEGO BAY, St James — Assistant Commissioner of Police Carl Williams says officers in the Area One Police Division are prepared to maintain law and order during the campaign for the upcoming general elections, expected to be held by yearend.
He said that since Andrew Holness became prime minister last month, the police — like most Jamaicans — have been anticipating an early election.
  WILLIAMS… the police are committed to professional conduct (Photo: Alan Lewin 1/1  |
"Since then, we have been having a series of meetings at police headquarters within the divisions to ensure that we prepare ourselves for the impending elections," said ACP Willimas, who is in charge of the parishes of Hanover, Trelawny, Westmoreland and St James.
He added that in preparation for the polls an Operation Order has been rolled out in each division.
"That (Operation Order) is a plan that will govern the operations of the police throughout the election activities, in an effort to have smooth operations," he explained.
He said further that training of 'one day policemen' has already commenced, as well as the training of 'protection officers' for the candidates. These officers, he said, will be assigned once the election is called, or in specific cases where the need arises. ACP Williams was speaking at the Grandiosa hotel in Montego Bay on Thursday at a code of conduct ceremony for political representatives in St James who will be contesting the upcoming general election.
The function was organised by the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) of St James and presided over by its chairman, Rev Everton Jackson.
ACP Williams told the gathering that the sole interest of the police in attending the ceremony was to stress the need for peaceful conduct during the campaign.
"We are not, as police officers, vested in any outcome. What we are vested in is the peaceful conduct of the election campaign within our divisions," said the assistant police commissioner.
He said that the police are committed to professional conduct, emphasising that "you will get nothing less". At the same time, he urged the politicians to be mindful of the law of the land during campaigning and on election day.
Rev Jackson, in his remarks, urged the candidates to ensure that no life is lost in the parish during the campaign as a result of political violence.
"Let the campaign be fun. It should not be just about winning at all cost. You have your product to sell and of course you want to convince people, but please be guided by the code of conduct that have been signed by the two major political parties," he urged.
Ten representatives from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) signed the document on Thursday.
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