Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, seen here in army uniform, yesterday resigned as police commissioner. Lewin, who became Jamaica's top cop in December 2007, has faced widespread criticism from within the constabulary. - file

Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin has reportedly tendered his resignation as commissioner of police after just 168 days in the job, a senior government official confirmed last night.

The official said the resignation was on "general terms".

Last night, Lewin would not confirm whether he had stepped down.

"Be careful what you hear," was all Lewin was prepared to say when The Gleaner confronted him last night at the Police Officers' Club, St Andrew.

Later, he told The Gleaner by telephone, "I am not getting into any discussion about anything."

Last night, the chairman of the Police Service Commission, Noel Hylton, said he would not comment on the issue before a meeting with other members of the commission today.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding hinted that there were significant challenges in the police force. He told supporters at a Jamaica Labour Party Area Council One meeting in Pembroke Hall, St Andrew, that some members of the force were not performing optimally because they were not happy with the new commissioner and some of his initiatives.

Increasing pressure

The Golding administration has been under increasing pressure to present a crime plan to arrest the spiralling murder rate.

The latest demand was made by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica last week.

Since taking office on December 17, Lewin has faced a runaway crime rate, with more than 800 Jamaicans killed.

The month of May was particularly punishing, as more than 190 persons were murdered.

This is worse than any month in the record-breaking year of 2005 where 1,674 persons were killed.

In his first press conference after assuming the post of top cop, Lewin said he would embark on a shutdown of stations seen as inadequate and ineffective.

Over 25 cops arrested

Lewin also talked tough on reining in corruption in the force. One of his main intentions was to raise the fear of detection in the force in his first year. This aspect saw some success with more than 25 policemen arrested on corruption charges.

Meanwhile, the Opposition last night expressed its willingness to participate in a resumption of the Vale Royal talks, which the Government requested be convened as a matter of urgency.

It also recommended that the Government place priority on curbing crime.

"The forthcoming talks should be solely dedicated to finding some common ground on this issue and that every effort be made to harness the goodwill of all Jamaicans in attacking this monster," chairman of the People's National Party, Robert Pickersgill said.