WESTERN BUREAU:
OPPOSITION SPOKESPER-SON on National Security, Derrick Smith, is insisting that National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, urgently take steps to stem the growing tension between the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
"We cannot have two arms of the police force having some sort of an animosity between them," Mr. Smith remarked during his presentation to delegates at the Jamaica Police Federation Conference at Starfish Hotel in Trelawny, yesterday.
"It has to be stopped, we cannot have a divide and rule situation. The crime situation in the field is such where we need the full focus of every single member of the security forces," Smith added.
His comments came against the background of Monday's alleged beating of two female police sergeants in downtown Kingston by ISCF members.
Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation, who condemned the incident, said he was very saddened by what had transpired.
"While we are selling the importance of (a) united police family, it would appear that there are elements among us with a different agenda," he said.
Last month, the ISCF came under fire for the alleged beating of a woman and her husband for a traffic infraction in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew.
"I attended the ISCF conference yesterday (Wednesday) and having listened to the reports, it was obvious to me that all is not right between the members of the ISCF and members of the JCF," Mr. Smith said in his remarks.
"That situation was confirmed when I arrived here today. Speaking to some of the delegates, it reinforced my original view..."
He said Dr. Phillips needs to organise a meeting, along with the Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas and the leadership of the both the ISCF and the federation, to get a speedy resolution.
