THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WATCHED with dismay and shame during the news presentation on June 31, an altercation between two plainclothes policemen and members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) taken by a phone camera.
The pictures, the viewers were advised, were sent to the news room purportedly as proof that at no time was any kind of 'violence' brought to bear against the two officers. What struck me, however, was the tone of the officers and the obvious lack of professionalism which they displayed while they attempted to obtain the particulars of the officers. True we saw no pictures of them laying a hand on the officers at the time the pictures were taken, but the mannerisms and the boorish behaviour displayed makes one wonder, after the phone camera had stopped, what exactly took place.
REPLAYED SCENE
Unfortunately, this kind of scene is replayed not only with policemen, but also in board rooms, offices, within the homes, on the roads and common day-to-day interaction everywhere in Jamaica. Persons who wield power feel it necessary and justified to have discourse in any manner and treat others with little or no respect. The irony is that after displaying their crude and harsh behaviour, it is those same individuals who 'demand' that the recipients respect them both in word and deed.
WHAT CHILDREN ARE LEARNING
Children live what they learn. It is no wonder our children are aggressive, our work force discontented and we are quick to anger and displays of violence, whether it be verbal or physical.
The pictures unfortunately have not served the purpose for which they were intended and, in my opinion, they may ultimately be the tool that is used to prove that the atmosphere was so charged with aggression that anything was possible - even broken fingers.
I am, etc.,
DIANNE A. EDWARDS
dedwards@cwjamaica.com
Attorney-at-law
Kingston
