MONTEGO BAY, St James — Prominent western Jamaica based attorney-at-law Delford Morgan has expressed concerns that members of the security forces could be reluctant to tackle criminals out of fear of being penalised by the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM).
“…officers are reluctant or refrain from taking on criminals because they perceive that they run the risk of falling afoul of INDECOM,” Morgan argued. “How can we expect greater performance from serving officers in an environment where morale is low and working condition is haphazard.” He bemoaned that INDECOM’s investigative strategy can be very “intrusive and unfriendly towards the police”.
“This is very unfortunate and unnecessary. A fair and impartial investigation does not have to be accompanied by hostility towards those being investigated.” He highlighted an example of the investigative body’s indiscretion. “I will cite as example the recent charging of a deputy superintendent of police, who responded to citizens’ call of strange men in nearby bushes. The cop discharged two rounds in the air resulting the fleeing of four men further into the bushes. The DSP was charged by INDECOM,” Morgan rued The western Jamaica lawyer, who is a former mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, noted that during the 17th century when Port Royal was deemed as the wickedest city in the world, the colonial legislature imposed draconian measures.
“Persons such as pirates, pickpockets, robbers and murders found guilty of serious offences all received the death penalty,” Morgan recounted. In the meantime, arguing that the police cannot fight fire with sticks, Morgan proclaimed that with the brutality and mayhem caused by the lotto scamming, “it is no doubt in my mind that today’s Montego Bay is the wickedest city in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean”. “None can successfully disagree that sovereign states have and should have legal means to counter and defeat any force that undermines the security of the State [and] to confront violence that threatens to undermine the sanctity of life and security of citizens,” the former mayor pointed out.
“The JCF, the State security apparatus responsible for law and order, its success or failure will largely depend on its mission to confront violence where it exist.” Morgan was speaking last week at the annual general meeting of the Past Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Chapter One at Verny House in Montego Bay. He pointed out that in developed countries, “retired police associations play pivotal and critical roles in the management, operational and support structures of serving members of police organisation”. “Ex-servicemen and women offering assistance is worthy of discussions and exploration,” Morgan remarked.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/Cops-fear-INDECOM_67797