By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterDESPITE THE disbanding of the controversial Crime Management Unit (CMU), the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and human rights organisations have called for a continued move towards accountability within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Speaking to The Gleaner last night, Derrick Smith, Opposition Spokesman on National Security, said yesterday's announcement by Police Commissioner, Francis Forbes, was "belated but can be considered a victory for the JLP."
"Based on the controversy surrounding the unit, we have been calling for its disbanding for a long time," he said.
Mr. Smith added, however, that the Commissioner should have gone even further and dealt with recommendations made in the JLP's manifesto. "We suggested the disbanding of all special squads and the formation of quick response units under the Mobile Division," he said.
On the issue of the reassigning of Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, the controversial head of the CMU, Mr. Smith said he preferred to stay away from speaking on the individual. He did say, though, that any job assigned to the lawman in the short run should keep him away from the streets. "He will need some time to cool down from the last two years," Mr. Smith said.
TOTAL SUPPORT
Meanwhile, Carolyn Gomes, executive director of lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), said: "We are completely and totally in support" of the decision to have the crime unit scrapped. Making reference to the recommendations of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF REPORT of January 2001), she pointed out that the JFJ had always been in support of the suggested combining of all units under the Mobile Division.
FAST'S RESPONSE
The Gleaner also received a response to the announcement from Families Against State Terrorism (FAST), another human rights group with which the CMU head has clashed. FAST chairperson, Yvonne McCalla Sobers, told The Gleaner that, though she is happy to see decisive action finally taken against Mr. Adams and the CMU, which has been involved in several controversial police killings, she would prefer if greater focus be placed on "the system".
"I have always been going more to the system than to the personality. I know that he (Adams) has been a model to some in the police force," she said. Mrs. McCalla Sobers said she continues to hope for evidence of a system of accountability within the police force.
