By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter 
Police Commissioner Francis Forbes (right) joins his Deputy, Tilford Johnson (centre), and Sergeant Steve Brown, Chairman of the Police Federation, in discussing an item on the programme of the Police Federation's annual conference which concluded Thursday at the Starfish Hotel, Trelawny. - Norman Grindley/Staff Photographer
POLICE COMMISSIONER Francis Forbes on Thursday made a plea for the police to stop the flow of blood of innocent people.
"We need also to stop the flow of our own blood. I am not going to support any policeman or woman who goes out there and murder people," said Commissioner Forbes.
He was speaking at the annual general meeting of the Police Federation at the Starfish Hotel, Trelawny.
Pointing to the controversial incident in Kraal, North Central Clarendon, where four persons were killed under questionable circumstances by the police a month ago, the Commissioner said he was hoping that the investigation which is currently being conducted by Scotland Yard detectives, does not reveal that it was a case of murder.
UNJUSTIFIABLE SHOOTINGS
While warning against the unjustifiable shootings, the Commissioner said he was willing to defend any of his colleague who, while on legitimate duty, discharged weapons in the defence of the life of a citizen and make "an honest mistake."
He again warned police personnel that disrespectful behaviour meted out to members of the public would not be tolerated. He also urged the Police Federation to desist from defending those policemen and women who bring the force into disrepute by virtue of their involvement in acts of corruption.
"Don't waste the members' dues and defend them (in the courts). It is better to ask them to leave," Mr. Forbes said.
The top cop said he wanted a police force that was free from corruption, well equipped and one that relied on science and technology to investigate crime.
