Heather Robinson

Confidence in those who serve us as doctors, teachers, police officers and politicians is a prerequisite for a stable society. Trust and faith go hand in hand in our efforts to develop meaningful relationships. We need to believe that those whom we have empowered with certain responsibilities in the development of our country are deserving of our confidence. In effect, such persons to whom we look for guidance and leadership must be credible persons on whom we can rely.

During my first year as a Member of Parliament, over 13 years ago, I was given many opportunities to prove my own credibility to the residents of St Catherine South Central. But, at the same time, several public officers were also being assessed by me. It was a process of seeking to determine who from within this group was credible. Various measurements were used. Some failed, and many passed my tests.

Roadblock

One morning, there was a huge roadblock along Mandela Highway in Central Village. Residents were protesting against several shooting incidents that had taken place in the community the night before. Police and soldiers were deployed to clear the road, as at that time there was no Highway 2000 to bypass Central Village. Motorists could us routes via Lakes Pen or Dunbeholden. I stood on the soft shoulder of the road watching the security forces' attempts to clear the road, some two or three hundred yards away. A peaceful crowd of residents from Windso had gathered along the roadside, at the main entrance to that community.

Suddenly I noticed that a group of about five police officers was approaching us. It soon became obvious that a corporal or sergeant was removing a tear gas canister from his waist. My instinctive response mechanism tripped in. I ran towards the officer and placed both my arms around him, while telling him, "You can't tear-gas us." The shocked police officer stood motionless for several seconds, while still in my embrace. I managed to introduce myself to him, and he eventually agreed that there was no need to use tear gas.

I can't tell you who this police officer is, as I never got his name. But today I would like to thank him for allowing me to hug him, and to the then commanding officer for St Catherine, Senior Superintendent Sydney Martin, thank you too.

I have related this incident for a simple reason. Police officers respond in different ways to stress. Some discharge their firearms, some beat, some talk and some are embraced. A few of those who have managed to escape prison sentences or internal disciplinary action are merely restored to their stations of work, and appear to be further empowered for the next attack or assault.

Officers of the law who believe they have the right to determine who lives or dies need to find employment elsewhere, or become permanent residents at Tower Street or Spanish Town.

Not a solution

Clearly, the powers of the Commissioner of Police need to be strengthened and improved.

Commissioners must be able to know that a transfer is not the solution, and neither is a promotion. When criminals who are dressed in police uniforms know that they can get away with illegal and immoral actions, they will continue to be repeat offenders.

It matters not who the victim is. What is important is that efforts must be made to reduce the number of victims, and if this cannot be done, then the entire Jamaica Constabulary Force's credibility is at stake. Why allow a few members to bring the entire organisation into disrepute?

Those who allow the credibility of the constabulary to be forfeited as a result of their own inaction might find themselves being ostracised as much as the perpetrators of violence.