EDITORIAL - Extend term of JDF boss

Pockets of complaints of unprofessional behaviour notwithstanding, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) emerged from the recent west Kingston conflict with its reputation largely intact, and even enhanced.

The public perception is that the military was mostly effective and disciplined in confronting the threat to the Jamaican state that was posed by the irregulars who were mustered to resist the attempt to arrest reputed crime boss, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Additionally, the JDF has won praise for the discipline and courtesy of its troops in the post-conflict phase of the Tivoli Gardens operation, as well as for the efficiency with which it has supported the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in general policing.

Jamaicans, of course, have long held their military in high esteem. But it seems to us the west Kingston events - the JDF's first substantial test since the strategic defence review in the middle of the decade - vindicated the restructured concepts of national security, the role of the military in the protection of the State, the maintenance of law and order, and the re-alignment of the JDF to meet the changed circumstances.

The implementation of the new national security strategies, with much of the restructuring of the JDF to fit within them, has coincided with the tenure of the incumbent Chief of Defence Staff Major General Stewart Saunders, who took formal command of the organisation in October 2007, which brings us to a fundamental issue.

In the normal course of events, Major General Saunders would come to the end of his term later this year and retire from the JDF, which he would have served for 37 years. There are several highly trained and talented officers who, potentially, can succeed Major General Saunders. Except that this, to us, is a very awkward time to change command at the JDF.

Major General Saunders is still in the process of strategically reorganising the JDF, including broad-based lobbying for the necessary resources to effect and cement the changes, in accordance with the national security review project. A shift of leadership will, perforce, lead to an adjustment hiatus and a slowdown of the programme.

Moreover, the JCF, too, has a relatively new leader in Police Commissioner Owen Ellington. A change in the chief of defence staff, therefore, would mean two relatively new bosses, seeking to find their way, at the top of the professional national security hierarchy, especially at a difficult and sensitive period when continuity is critical.

In this regard, our suggestion is that Major General Saunders' term as chief of defence staff be extended for a year or two to allow for the completion of the strategic defence programme and the wider national security initiative. Indeed, this programme cannot be divorced from the current effort to dismantle organised crime syndicates and gangs, which gained legs with the west Kingston operation and on which the JCF and the JDF are working closely.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is the minister of defence, should not only accept our suggestion, but act quickly in announcing the decision of the Defence Board to prevent undue speculation about the command of the JDF and ensure that the officers can get on with the business of helping to secure and develop Jamaica.

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