Parliament contends it does not have the requisite resources or the time to adequately do the necessary oversight of INDECOM the oversight Agency created supposedly to Investigate excessive actions from police officers and members of the Jamaica Defense force.
The Agency came into existence under the former JLP Administration of Bruce Golding. The contention then, and appropriately so, was that members of the security Forces, (primarily the JCF) were engaged in conduct inconsistent with their mandate.
At the time INDECOM came into existence I thought there was sufficient oversight of the JCF. The Police Public Complaints Authority and the Bureau of Special Investigations were active investigative arms tasked with bringing errant cops to face the courts. Additionally the Office of Director of Public Prosecution, had the power to file charges against police officers if the office believes a crime was committed.
That was not the extent of it, the DPP had the power to file charges against officers solely to calm public outcry. Yes that is Jamaican law, even if there is insufficient evidence of wrong-doing .
Many Police Officers have had their carrears and finances ruined as a result of this law.
Nevertheless the decision was made to go forward with the creation of a new Agency at the expense of modernizing the JCF.
Fast forward and the contention today is that INDECOM is in need of oversight, other than that which the Parliament supposedly provide.
At the time the discussion surrounding the creation of the ACT was initiated I thought this was exactly where we would be, engaged in a never ending cycle of discussion of oversight.
I said the the solution was to fix the police, and maintain the oversight which was in place.
My position was not based in a belief that the police did not need oversight. It was anchored in the knowledge that creating a new Agency like INDECOM would present opportunities for Elitism and confrontational-ism .
That is exactly what INDECOM represents largely because of Commissioner Terrence Williams’s appetite and desire for unchecked power.
William’s associations were also worthy of scrutiny, he publicly shared a press conference with Jamaicans for Justice,(JFJ) and it’s then director Carolyn Gomes who was decidedly and unnecessarily unfair and antagonistic toward law enforcement.
Members of the JCF made their displeasure know at the time. Since then Williams has done precious little to shape INDECOM into an Agency which fair-minded Jamaicans can trust to look objectively at allegations of abuse by our security forces and do an unbiased objective investigation.
Williams tenure has be characterized by demand and more demand for power and confrontational posturing against the Police and Military.
As the conversation progresses politicians have lined up on either sides of the issue. Williams as is expected wants no oversight from any new body, claiming “INDECOM is subject to oversight by the Public Defender”.
Of course the office of public defender is headed by Earl Witter and staffed with functionaries vehemently hostile to police.
This is a simple case of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, The office of public defender does not offer any real oversight of INDECOM.
The political alliances arrayed on both sides of the issue are understandable, what is of critical import are the outside groups like the the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS), Jamaicans and for Justice (JFJ).
The Norman Manley Law School even more than JFJ.
The Law School trains Lawyers who ultimately become Judges.
Jamaica does not need more Judges or Magistrates hostile to the rule of law and those who enforce said laws.
There are more than enough of them in the system, like Termites eating away at it’s credibility.
How ironic is it that Williams who crave more and more power of oversight desires no oversight of his actions?
As I have said before this is a power trip for Williams and nothing more.