Head of the Crime Management Unit (CMU), Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams (right), and Deputy Superintendent Terrence Bent of the Special Anti-Crime Task Force (SACTF), study a map of the troubled areas in Spanish Town, St. Catherine and the police list of 40 suspects allegedly involved in criminal activities in the area. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
- Dennis Coke /Staff Photographer
COMMISSIONER OF Police, Francis Forbes, is to await a report from the Office of Professional Responsibility(OPR) before making a decision on the future of the Crime Management Unit (CMU) and its controversial head, Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams.
Mr. Forbes met with his top aides last night, at his office, to discuss the latest development in the allegations of corruption which have rocked the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and especially the CMU, since last week.
Superintendent A.J. Forbes, head of the Force's Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), said after last night's meeting that the Commissioner would await a report from the OPR, as well as the result of ongoing meetings with his top aides, before making a decision on SSP Adams' future.
"The Commissioner recognises the importance of the squad and the public support that they have and this has to be taken into consideration," Superintendent Forbes explained.
He confirmed that the Commissioner met with SSP Adams, as well as the 12 accusers from his squad, who had staged a sick-out last week Wednesday to protest against his leadership.
He admitted that there were allegations and counter-allegations of corruption made against each other by SSP Adams and the 12 at yesterday's meeting. However, he insisted that the allegations were not substantiated by either party and were denied by both parties. He said that while the Commissioner had listened to both sides, he had not yet made a judgment on the issue.
There were allegations about members of the unit being involved in bribery, as well as being paid to protect well-known figures outside of their normal duties, Superintendent Forbes confirmed.
Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Deputy Superintendent Miguel Winters, was invited to the meetings between the Commissioner and the parties "to get first-hand knowledge of the issue," said Superintendent Forbes. DSP Winter will be carrying out further investigations into the matter and will make a report to the Commissioner.
The Police Federation has urged Commissioner Forbes to remove SSP Adams from the CMU and transfer the other members with immediate effect, based on the allegations made by both sides at yesterday's meetings.
But, based on Superintendent Forbes' responses, it was obvious that three of the demands made by the Federation have already been met, leaving only the question of SSP Adams' future in the balance.
The Federations asked the Commissioner to have:
- SSP Adams removed forthwith from the CMU;
- The rank and file members of the CMU transferred with immediate effect;
- Investigations immediately launched into the allegations and counter-allegations
made by SSP Adams and the 12;
- Upon completion of these investigations, appropriate sanctions be levied
against any guilty party.
Commissioner Forbes has already started the investigations through the OPR; decided to transfer the 12 members of the CMU who staged the sick-out, although he has decided to allow them to suggest where they want to be sent; and has promised to apply the appropriate sanctions when the investigations are completed and a report made.
