A member of the Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board, Irwin Clare, is calling for qualified, overseas based Jamaicans to be considered for the post of Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
National Security Minister Peter Bunting announced yesterday that the post will be filled in September. The new appointee will replace Owen Ellington, who is on pre-retirement leave.
Mr. Clare says the Jamaican Diaspora is often bombarded for assistance and provides significant support for the land of their birth. As such he believes the group should not be sidelined when opportunities become available at home.
Mr. Clare’s comment follows yesterday’s statement by the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, that it would not support a foreigner as Police Commissioner.
But according to Mr. Clare, the government would be undermining its own Diaspora engagement policy if it were to bar those Jamaicans living overseas from applying for the post.
