Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Donna Walsh, wife of slain Inspector Lascelles Walsh, is being consoled by Deputy Commissioner Jevene Bent at the funeral yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
AN INCENSED Raymond Wilson, president of the Police Federation, yesterday launched an all-out verbal assault on elements of the society who he said, are "accommodating criminals and benefiting from the spoils of their evil deeds." His stinging statements hit on several groups, from musicians who promote violence against lawmen, to politicians with ties to known criminals.
Corporal Wilson was speaking at the funeral service for Inspector Lascelles Walsh who was gunned down on May 4, while on duty in downtown Kingston.
Cpl. Wilson said cold blooded criminals like the ones who took the life of Inspector Walsh were quickly gaining prominence in society. The federation president lambasted politicians who associate with these known criminals. "When (these criminals) die, their funerals are attended by the very persons who lead us! Yet when police officers die, they are only remembered by a few of us," Cpl. Wilson shouted.
But his verbal attack did not stop there. The federation president also chided "entertainers who continue to preach violence against policemen." In an infuri-ated tone, he recalled a recent dance, where the selector of a popular sound system made comments suggesting that the killing of three lawmen was nothing, and that more was to come.
With beads of sweat trickling slowly down his forehead and his eyes welling up with tears, Corporal Wilson pointed his index finger to the sky and loudly declared: "These kinds of utterances form the basis for the kind of co-ordinated attacks like those of May 4!" Corporal Wilson said the police federation is calling for an immediate ban of the sound system. "We are calling on the authorities to reverse any approval which may have been given for that sound system and that M.C.," he said to thunderous applause from the congregation.
Corporal Wilson noted also that crime is perpetuated by the silence of those who have critical information. This he said, must end. "Even Christian mothers provide havens for these beasts. We are here bawling out for the loss of our brother, these guilty guardian angels must bawl out as well!" he shouted.
Finally, Corporal Wilson said the Federation is appealing for the week of May 4 to be declared 'National Police Memorial Week' with activities co-ordinated on a national level annually. This he said, would be a show of respect for all policemen killed in the line of duty.
