What is happening to the police force?

The security force is supposed to keep a nation safe.  These people are specially chosen to protect and serve the  nation making it a safe place to work, go to school, and live freely.  But in the last few months our nation went into shock when some of the most publicized arrest of robbers were in fact policemen.

It must be embarrassing to the police constabulary to realize that some of their colleagues and for some coworkers were implicated with the incidents of robberies that happened.  The question that I have for this is why?  Why person who swore to protect our nation decided to rob it?  Is it a case that they are so broke that they are compelled to steal?  Is it that there is too much stress on the job and they experience a meltdown thus turning to part time crime as a coping mechanism?  Whatever it is, it shows that the Jamaica Constabulary Force now has to review their recruitment exercises and conduct sporadic psychological tests to proper evaluate the mental well being of the members of the force.

Our nation is experiencing serious economic stresses but if everyone of us were to crumble and turn to crime, then the nation would be under siege.  Our Ministry of Health needs to deal with the issue of mental health of our overly stressed workers who are grossly underpaid.  This may seem to be a joke to some but there are many persons who are borderline insane and are at breaking point at our work places and homes! More and more individuals have taken drastic and negative actions due to feelings of  desperation and hopelessness and with that thinking, some individuals crack under pressure and do stupid things.

I end by asking the question, are our police thieves?  I say no!  It would be appropriate that the powers that be, instead of focusing on one type of remedy, should focus on the emotional stability and family life stability of members of the security force.  It may not be a cure for all things  but in the end it would become a preventative measure to reduce the incidents of not only police crimes but other crimes in our country.  The Jamaica Constabulary Force should take note!