Forbes COMMISSIONER OF Police Francis Forbes has beefed up his personal security following several recent death threats.
Sergeant Sonia James, administrative manager at the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) confirmed the information yesterday, but said she was unable to say when exactly he was threatened.
Sgt. James said it is not that Commissioner Forbes was afraid but that "it is more an understanding of the job" the police are involved in.
The relationship between the Commissioner and several senior policemen has worsened in recent times following reports that the telephone lines of these senior officers have been bugged amid investigations into drug trafficking.
It could not be ascertained whether the alleged threats on the Commissioner's life were linked to the reports of wiretapping, but DCP Owen Clunie, in charge of the Bureau of Special Investigation told The Gleaner he had written the Commissioner, telling him he had learned that his phones had been tapped. DCP Clunie also said Commissioner Forbes told him the matter was being investigated.
The Sunday Gleaner reported on October 15 that the telephones lines of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, several Cabinet ministers and Corporate Area community leaders have been bugged recently.
The Gleaner reported yesterday that some police officers have performed "guard service" or "safe passage" service to Colombian drug traffickers who use the island to tranship contraband to Bahamas and the United States. Cocaine, reportedly worth more than US$1 billion, has been allowed to pass through Jamaica to its destinations with payments of $US2 million.
Meanwhile, National Security Minister K.D. Knight has denied that he met with and had any discussions with anyone on National Heroes Day about the wiretapping. The Ministry says Minister Knight has been off the island since Saturday, October 14.
In the meantime, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) said questions arising from this issue gravely concerned national security.
Derrick Smith, JLP spokesman on National Security, in a press release issued yesterday, said the report of wiretapping raises the most serious questions as to why the police considered it necessary to record the conversations.
According to Mr. Smith, the country was deeply concerned about information on drug connections and needed to be assured that the investigation being carried out would not seek to cover up anyone.
