Letter of the Day - Arbitrary arrest and incarceration

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE POLICE continue to breach citizens' rights to freedom, seemingly at will. We are all at risk when policemen can arrest first and investigate after; our democracy is at risk when arbitrary arrest becomes normal policing practice. The cases of Andre Lindo and Kirkland Pinnock are instructive.

Andre Lindo was arrested on May 14, 2001 as a murder suspect. His mother located him only after searches at several police stations. He was ultimately released without charge on May 15, after his mother mobilised pressure from groups and individuals outraged by the arbitrary police action. Lindo is the brother of Janice Allen, the 13-year-old who was killed by police in Trench Town on April 14, 2000. A few days before his arrest, an announcement was made that a policeman was to be charged for his sister's killing.

Kirkland Pinnock was arrested by the Crime Management Unit on May 24, 2001, accused of stealing a car parked on the street outside his home. His brother, Everton Pinnock, was killed by police on May 18, 2001. Kirkland was released without charge after the intervention of his community and human rights activists. Senior Superintended Reneto Adams, in charge of the operation, promised to investigate the offence and return with a warrant if arrest was merited.

These incidents show the extent to which arbitrary arrest is a norm and acting according to law is cast as a special concession made under public pressure. In addition, suspicions are aroused about intimidation of those whose relatives are killed by policemen.

Citizens need to insist that the police obey the law in enforcing the law. If the police are not held accountable for violating citizens' rights, none of us is assured of protection against arbitrary arrest and incarceration.

I am etc.,

YVONNE McCALLA SOBERS

E-mail: asante@colis.com

Widcombe Drive

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica

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