Jamaica will have a new commissioner of police later this month, replacing Dr. Carl Williams who went on pre-retirement leave in January this year.
George Quallo, who is a 40-year-old police veteran, will take over the helm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JFC) from April 18, 2017.
The Ministry of National Security said in a statement that Quallo had demonstrated the ability to lead the JFC at an important point of transformation, strengthening relationships with the other bodies that make up the islands security services.
However, some observers say the new top cop will also have a tough task of arresting the country’s crime problem with some 1,300 people killed last year alone and increase from the previous two years.
Quallo joined the JFC in l976 and has held numerous positions.
He was credited for restructuring the Manchester Police Division, using policing principles as the major strategy resulting in a large reduction in all crime strategies.
In 2010, Quallo was appointed assistant commissioner of police and subsequently led Police Area Four between March 2012 and December 2015 during which there were three successive years of reduction in murders and major crimes.
He was promoted to deputy Commissioner of Police in November 2015, and the following year was put in charge of Territorial Operations Portfolio.
