THERE IS a Jamaican expression that goes, 'cockroach don' business ina fowl fight!' Well, I might not be a big roach or cock but something is 'foul' about the growing impasse between the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and its colleagues in the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF).

On Monday, two female sergeants in the JCF were arrested and allegedly beaten by members of the ISCF in what apparently began as a traffic infraction. One of the women suffered a broken finger in the incident. I am not sure if it is the middle finger though.

This is the second embarrassing incident in the past few weeks as a couple was also reportedly man and woman handled by special constables. So 'impactful' was this that the deputy commandant of the ISCF was removed from frontline duties.

At face value it does seem that the ISCF officers are out of control. However, answer this! How does this differ from the often-reported incidents of state violence at the hands of the JCF? How frequently do we see dramatic newscasts with footage of protesters alleging murder, while the official statements are "police came under heavy fire, fire was returned and Mr. X was found suffering from gunshot wounds?"

Perhaps there is a need to give speech lessons to the constabulary because despite the variation of spelling in the names of the alleged gunmen, they are commonly pronounced 'dead.'

The fact is, unlike in many metropolitan countries, both branches of the police are called 'Force.'

ACTIVITIES OF THE JCF

Yet, proportionally, the reports of allegations of brutality do not compare. The ISCF has just fewer than 2,000 policemen/women. There are around 8,000 in the JCF. Nonetheless, the reported cases of excessive force by the ISCF do not account for one tenth. It is the activities of the JCF that have earned the wrath of Amnesty International. These include the recent case from which seven policemen 'crawled' free.

Furthermore, the alleged crossing of the line of the ISCF on Monday is no more significant than the countless others by the JCF simply because this time the violence is against them.

A few months ago, in May Pen, a female ISCF corporal, in full uniform, attempted to prevent the mauling of a citizen who was being beaten like the Reggae Boyz, by men, who by behaviour and appearance, did not look like policemen. She was collared and assaulted, though she was clearly a policewoman.

At the annual conference of the ISCF on Wednesday, chairman of the Association, Sergeant Christopher Bowen, highlighted incidents including a uniformed female ISCF member being beaten by a plainclothes JCF policewoman. This resulted in the special constable having a miscarriage. Nonetheless, in listing the cases of violence of the JCF against the ISCF, he took the high road in suggesting that such incidents should be handled within the confines of the police themselves and not in the public domain.

In contrast, Police Federation chairman, Corporal Raymond Wilson, displayed the appropriate response in his initial comments to the media. He noted that one should not pre-judge and allow the investigative process to proceed. That is where his remarks should have ended.

Yet, two days later he intemperately nullified his earlier commentary by suggesting that the ISCF personnel were "women beaters" and lacked training. While I understand the indignation he feels regarding the incident, the rules of natural justice do not vary according to the colour of one's cummerbund or trouser stripes.

Nevertheless, whether the uniform is blood red or blue bag, it is a shame that the police are washing their laundry in public.

DIVERGENT BEGINNINGS

Still, the brewing standoff has its origins in the divergent beginnings of each of the forces. The JCF was formed in the aftermath of the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865. However, its pattern was already set on the plantation where the slave drivers responsible for the protection of the masters' interests were recruited from the ranks of the slaves. In other words, it was we policing ourselves.

With a classic divide and rule strategy, a culture was established that was very sensitive to class divisions and small token differences in status. This is part of what has kept many members of the constabulary working for meagre wages. One thing that we learnt during slavery was the treating of our fellows as less important simply because we have become "smaddified".

On the other hand, the ISCF was established in 1950. From the outset, its members had terms and conditions of employment that were less favourable. It was only as recently as 1983 that they became full-time employees of the government even though they typically worked the same lengthy hours. In 2002, the decision was taken to assign the specials to 'minor' crimes, in particular, traffic and the environment.

Well, given the lack of serious attention to environmental issues by our politicians, this is a further statement of the perceived insignificance of the ISCF. We all ought to remember that the one thing that the marginalised need most is respect and recognition.

However, the matter turns out, the only approach must be a common set of rules, procedures and punishment for both sets of police personnel.

Speaking of procedures, maybe the British are 'privy' to special information but nobody asked for their 'council' regarding Reneto Adams' reinstatement. Our courts found him not guilty and therefore eligible for return to active duty.

Now you see why we need our own Caribbean Court of Justice.

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.