Business people and other residents in St Ann are waiting on the police high command to confirm reports that there has been a shakeup of the top brass in the parish, with consistent unconfirmed reports the departure of superintendent Wayne Cameron.
For the last two weeks at least, reports have been swirling that Mr Cameron has been moved from his post. Just last week more reports came that he has been transferred to police headquarters in Kingston, but not assigned to any division or department.
Two well established business people and an attorney had told the North Coast Times in mid-September that they intended to write to Commissioner Carl Williams to oppose the move to transfer Cameron. The letter was sent to the commissioner earlier this month detailing the work by Mr Cameron. They cited crime fighting in areas from Ocho Rios’ troubled Falklands community to Steer Town and further afield as well as taking on issues from noise pollution to illegal transport operations.
Last week, The Times contacted ACP Glenford Hudson, in charge of Area 2, and asked if Mr Cameron had been reassigned. The ACP said he had no official word of that and Mr Cameron was at work in the parish. However, several police officers said though there has been no official confirmation, they have been told that DSP Gary Francis is to assume leadership of the division as of Tuesday, October 18.
Reports also are that the head of the Ocho Rios division, Gary McKenzie has been transferred to Montego Bay. There has been no official news about who is to replace him.
Meantime, still in Area 2, the head of Portland, Oberlin Smith-Whyte has been replaced by superintendent Rex Swearing. It is being reported that consideration is being given to the promotion of DSP Dwight Powell to the rank of a full superintendent. He has been acting in charge of St Mary since the sudden departure, in August, of superintendent Stephanie Lindsay to head the CCU.
