Jamaicans For Justice has received complaints of persons being intimidated, even receiving death threats by police. Another indicator that police brutality continues cause concerns.
The report found when these behaviors result in the death of civilians, families are left to fight for justice in a flawed system. The victims of the justice system spoke out. Victims of the justice system were given the stage to share the horrors they faced by rogue police officers and their grueling journey to justice. They spoke with CVM Live at the policy summit on the state of justice put on by Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ).
Mercia Frazer has been seeking closure since the police-related death of her son Mario Deane in 2014.deane was brutally beaten to death while in custody at the Barnett street police station in Montego Bay. His case through the criminal justice system has taken more than six years. Frazer says it’s good to be able to speak to the authorities face to face as she remains hopeful for reformation. Tyrone Edwards is the brother of Nakia Jackson. The 27 year old, Jackson was reportedly shot and killed by police at his orange villa cook shop in 2014. Having just returned from the coroner’s court, says he’s lost trust in the justice system.
In 2020 Keymo Dacres was detained for a week with no charge. He was reportedly told by police that they were conducting an investigation and more information would be provided soon. He says they still have not gotten back to him. Dacre’s perspective on the justice system has been shattered. More stories like these litter the Jamaican narrative but with the establishment of a national human rights institute under review, reform may soon be within reach.
