McGregor - File

Mark Titus, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Superintendent of Police, Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for St. James, says the police in the second city are ready for the upcoming general election.

"If the general elections are called tomorrow, we are ready," Superintendent McGregor said last week.

"Every policing aspect of our preparation, from equipment to every minute detail, is now in place for any eventualities."

He said the the only thing that was left to be done, was the training of the civilian assistants, referred to as 'one-day police'. He said thatwould be done after the election date is announced.

Tight lid on campaigning

At a community meeting in May, Supt. McGregor announced his intention to put a tight lid on political campaigning in the parish and called for a meeting with the political aspirants. This, however did not go down well with the politicians.

According to Clive Mullings, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for West Central St. James: "My style of political campaigning is supported by what is governed by the Constitution in terms of free movement."

He added: "If the police is seeking to circumvent that right I am going to defend it as forcibly as I can."

However, the tough-talking Supt. McGregor told The Gleaner that the politicians are now cooperating with the police.

"We have had several meetings with the candidates and they are receptive now," he stated "They have now seen the need for this sort of interaction with the police to identify parameters within which to work."

The divisional commander told The Gleaner that there has been constant dialogue between the proposed candidates of the troubled constituency of North West St. James, the incumbent Dr. Horace Chang of the JLP, and the People's National Party caretaker, Henry McCurdy.

"They have been cooperative with the police and appear to be working together to ensure that the entire election exercise will be a peaceful one," Supt. McGregor said.

mark.titus@gleanerjm.com