THE GOVERNMENT is not ruling out giving members of the army police powers as it seeks ways to curb the spiralling crime rate which saw another 34 Jamaicans murdered last week.
Nearly 600 Jamaicans have been murdered since the start of the year.
Responding to questions at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, Information Minister Burchell Whiteman reiterated that the Government will implement necessary measures to fight the growing crime wave, which saw three policemen being shot dead last week. He said, however, that these counter measures had to be in keeping with the Constitution.
"We're not closing out any options at all," he said, adding that the Government even brought plea-bargaining legislation recently to Parliament, to help rid the society of what the Information Minister called "high-ranking criminals".
PRELIMINARY ENQUIRIES
"There are (also) matters to do with preliminary enquiries and protection of witnesses. These are some of the things in train," he said.
In 2002, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson brought to the House amendments to the Defence Act which would grant police powers to the military. At the time, the Prime Minister explained that the amendments were necessary because of the increased use of soldiers in the Government's new anti-crime plan. Under the amendments, soldiers would be authorised to search premises and apprehend persons whether or not members of the police force were present.
However, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) argued then that the Bill was too vague and, on the face of it, would grant soldiers powers for which they were not train to handle. The Bar Association also rejected the proposed amendments to the Defence Act, stating that the proposal was dangerous and would lead to the increased militarisation of the society. The association had also contended that the proposed amendments might have resulted in increased violation of citizens' constitutional rights.
