THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON FEBRUARY 5, 2002 at approximately 12:15 p.m. I proceeded along East Street, coming to a stop at the front of the third lane at the traffic lights, then lighted red, which intersects with North Street.
The said East Street at this intersection has no arrows in the road directing traffic. The traffic light has two indicators that are on green simultaneously, an arrow to the direction of left and a regular indicator.
I proceeded straight down East Street crossing the aforementioned intersection and as I was driving along I noticed a jeep to my right driving very close as if to move me over further to my left.
I then noticed the driver positioned forward in his seat so as to look past another male passenger, motioning to me. At this point I realise that the jeep was a police vehicle.
I wound down my window to hear what the driver of the jeep was saying and heard paraphrased (for the purpose of narrative I will identify myself as "KG" and the police officer driving the jeep as "PO1")
PO1: "...did you see what you did?"
KG "No"
PO1:"...you came straight and should have gone left." KG: "I don't know what you are talking about"
PO1: Pull over your vehicle ... I want to see your papers."
It is to be noted that PO1's tone was rude and abusive. As a reaction to this officer's rude tone and behaviour I said: "Is that how you talk to the citizens of this country?"
PO1: "Man pull over".
KG: "Is that how you speak to people? .. I am fed up with the whole lot of you".
PO1: "...You think because you white... man don't let me"
KG: "I am not white I am a Jamaican and I have just as much right as any other citizen of this country." "What is your name?"
PO1: "What is your name"
KG: "I am Kent Gammon and what is your name?" I again do not get a name from this officer.
PO1: "The papers are in order"
I then asked the other three officers their names and each officer refused to give me his name. None of these officers had on any police uniforms.
We then arrived at the Kingston Central Police station where I received a ticket for careless driving written up by another police officer.
This ticket had no information on it as to a fine if payable.
The police officer identified for the purpose of this paper as "PO1" then identifies himself as Corporal B.K. Darby, number 3157.
1) The offence of careless driving is unmerited in the circumstances of my case and I was charged arbitrarily and without just cause. This offence will be heard in Court February 26, 2002.
2) On the streets are police officers not obliged to give their names and numbers on request of same?
All police officers should give their names and numbers to each citizen of this country on being charged or questioned even without a request for same.
It has been my experience in more recent times with more officers of the Jamaican Constabulary Force than less, that they act arbitrarily, abusive and devoid of any civil courtesies. No one is asking for the police officers to be angels but to act in a respectful manner when dealing with us, the citizens of this country. I felt violated, racially discriminated against and sickened by the officers' behaviour in my case with particular emphasis on the behaviour of Corporal B.K. Darby.
I leave Jamaica to pursue a Masters course in the not-too-distant future and I seriously wonder if I will return. In essence our country has become a miserable and hopeless place to live and raise our children.
I am, etc.,
KENT P. GAMMON
Hope Glade Mews
Kingston 6
