Police Federation Troubled By Justice Minister’s Statement On Extra-Judicial Killings

The Jamaica Police Federation appears to be troubled by a motion passed recently in Parliament by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck to amend the powers of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). The police federation chairman, Sergeant Patrae Rowe, says they are disappointed with the minister’s declaration that the reduction in extrajudicial killings was due to the existence of INDECOM. 

“Mr Speaker, even though there is tension and friction between members of the JCF and INDECOM, no one can deny that INDECOM has been vigilant and thorough in its investigations of alleged police misconduct and excesses.  There is no doubt that INDECOM has contributed positively to the reduction of extra judicial killings by the security forces,” said Minister Chuck.

Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Sergeant Patrae Rowe believes that the statements made were ‘most unfortunate’

“It was a careless for the Minister to make such a declaration as an Attorney-at-Law knowing very well that for a designation of extra judicial killing to be made the court must examine those cases and declare that the person was killed in a fatal encounter without having an opportunity to go through the justice system,” said Sergeant Rowe. “Police officers are not involved in extra judicial killings. No evidence to suggest that that is the case.”

According to Sergeant Rowe, the results of criminals cases against members have not demonstrated this – and the impression the Minister imparted suggests police officers are routinely involved in an extrajudicial killing.

“The Minister is not a layman. The Minister is not an average Jamaican on a street corner. The Minister must exercise greater care over the platform that he has been given to communicate to the Jamaican people and ensure that he does not take a posture that is against the police and seek to use INDECOM as a weapon against the police.”

Meanwhile, the Government has decided not to proceed with the recommendation to grant INDECOM powers to arrest and prosecute.