Advances in information technology have allowed police forces to transfer administrative duties from satellite stations to 'head stations'. The fact that service is poor is an even worse reason to close satellite stations which have evolved due to increasing violence and intimidation.

Revolving faces on patrol from head stations are poor substitutes for a local police officer stationed in the community and who usually spends some off-duty time there. This quality presence helps add a human face to public order; can win hearts and minds; controls territory at a lower cost and improves intelligence flow. Additionally, research has shown that people have a more favourable view of their local police than the force as a whole.

Service delivery more limited

Nowadays, police service delivery from satellite stations in Jamaica is becoming more limited. There are no storefront posts, usually in busy urban centres with set closing hours. In Europe and countries like Belize, they still maintain the rural police post manned by a lone police officer and occupied by his/her family. We abolished these decades ago.The international experience of community-based policing shows that community police stations are critical to success, especially in paramilitary forces with tall hierarchies and no local government input, which makes devolution of authority difficult.

Over the last 20 years, most new stations have been situated in the Corporate Area and no more than three in rural areas, even though there has been a 40 per cent increase in the number of police per square kilometre.

Strategic thinker that he is, it is certain that Commissioner of Police Hardley Lewin will now reassess his comments about closing police stations, especially in view of Gravel Heights and previous incidents of community 'cleansing' by our criminal entrepreneurs.

I am, etc.,

HAROLD CROOKS

haroldcrooks@yahoo.com

Kingston