November 19, 2000
JAMAICANS UNITED AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY Dear Friends, The following article from Jamaica's Daily Gleaner is common example of the policy being pursued by the Jamaican government through the police force of executing suspected criminals. The government is deaf, dumb and blind to daily incidents such as these but immediately reacts to reports that corrupt police officers may have wiretapped the Prime Minister's phone and some of his ministers. The Prime Minister has ordered an immediate investigation by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The rumor mill has it that there are incriminating conversations on these tapes linking these same politicians to certain dons (obviously not the one recently killed) who are reputed to be involved in illicit activities. We demand that the same concerned approach be adopted and an investigation launched into the policy of police executions. By promptly ordering an investigation into reports of wiretapping by the police and promising a trial if wrongdoing is uncovered, the government proves that it does have the power, if it so desires, to bring police action under legal scrutiny. The fact that it does not act in a similar manner regarding daily blatant cases of police exiecutions shows that government approves of police executions. It is only concerned with the rule of law when its own personal interests are threatened. Ought we not to therefore conclude that the Jamaican political ruling class, regardless of the party to which they belong, are themselves illicit, and not worthy of citizens' cooperation and respect since they only demand that the police act in a lawful fashion where their interests are concerned? We therefore believe that Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica who are concerned aobut human rights for Jamaica's poor cannot continue to sit on the fence and watch this daily carnage being committed by the security forces under the pretext of fighting crime. International sanctions are in order to stop 150 yearly executions. We need to find ways of supporting those innercity communities that are under seige from the security forces. What do you think? Lloyd
D'Aguilar
Angry residents protest killing of 'don' STUDENTS, PARENTS and other pedestrians scampered to dodge bullets fired by policemen during a protest along East Queen Street, Central Kingston yesterday afternoon while others searched for pipes to wash teargas from their eyes. The disturbance was sparked by the police's shooting of a reputed area don, Wyndell "Steve" Cooper, whom protestors, mostly from Wildman Street, charged had been killed in cold blood. The demonstration began on Wildman Street but quickly spread to East Queen Street. The protest held up traffic along East Queen Street between Smith Lane and Hanover Street for nearly an hour. Businesses in the area quickly pulled down their shutters as protesters pelted the lawmen with stones. The police retaliated by firing shots and teargas canisters. According to the police, at about 12:30 p.m. they were on an operation area when they went to premises at 37 Wildman Street where a shootout ensued. Cooper was shot and taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police said a 9mm automatic pistol was taken from the body. However, a teenager, who said she was an eyewitness, contradicted the police's story. She said the police entered the yard where she and Cooper were. She said Cooper, who had just returned from court, was having lunch when they were approached. She said the police came into the house and asked Cooper his name. When he told them it was Wyndell Cooper, they accused him of lying. The teenager said he told the police he was also called Steve and then the police told them to leave the yard. The shaken teenager said
the police pulled their weapons and she shouted out to them not to kill
Cooper. "Dem tell mi seh a no my business and mi fi come out a di yard,"
she said. "The police kick weh him foot and shoot him when him deh pon
the ground," the teary-eyed girl said.
From the Daily Gleaner: Excerpts from the statement delivered to Parliament by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson on investigations into the alleged illegal use of wire-taps and drug-trafficking at high levels in the Jamaica Constabulary." (with appropriate comments from us) MADAM SPEAKER, I believe every member of this Honourable House would regard allegations of illicit wire-tapping and the possible involvement of any member of the security force in drug trafficking as serious in the extreme. [SO ARE EXTRA-JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS -- LD] These two offences raise grave implications to the rule of law and the fight against criminality. [AGREED. IF POLICE FIGHT CRIME WITH ILLEGAL METHODS THEY ARE THEMSELVES CRIMINALS AND CONTRIBUTING TO CRIMINALITY -- LD] Each requires separate and distinct investigations which must be intensive and professionally conducted. The arm of the state, constituted to preserve the peace, and to detect crime is the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The conduct of investigations is vested by law in them. It is recognised that where the allegations involve the police force, special arrangements will always be necessary to ensure transparency and credibility. It was with this in mind that a new investigative organ was announced by me in the Budget Presentation last year. The Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) was constituted to investigate all cases of police shootings and allegations of police corruption. [THE HEAD OF THIS BUREAU IS ALLEGED TO BE INVOLVED IN DRUGS AND ILLEGAL WIRETAPPING. WOULD HE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATE POLICE BRUTALITY?] For reasons which are palpably obvious, the Bureau of Special Investigations could not be expected, in the circumstances of the present allegations, to undertake this function in respect of these specific allegations. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the discharge of his functions will have to select a special investigative unit suitably staffed and equipped. I have instructed that the necessary resources should be placed at his immediate disposal. [THE PM IF HE SO DESIRES THEREFORE HAS THE POWERS TO INVESTIGATE POLICE BRUTALITY AND KILLINGS. THAT HE DOES NOT IS CERTAINLY PROOF OF HIS PERSONAL APPROVAL -- LD] The Director of Public Prosecutions The conduct of this matter has now been passed to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). By Section 94 of our Constitution, the powers conferred upon him are not subject to the direction or control of any other person and/or authority. In simple language, he does not report to me, the Minister of National Security and Justice or the Attorney-General. As I pointed out earlier this year, since 1962, we have our own version of the Independent Prosecutor, namely, the DPP. [SINCE THE DPP HAS TO BE INSTRUCTED BY THE PM COULD HE BE REALLY CONSIDERED INDEPENDENT?] In order to ensure that the investigations are of the highest integrity and expeditiously completed, the Government intends to make available whatever resources are necessary. In particular, should he find it necessary to engage external assistance, the Government will, to the extent necessary, make diplomatic representations to obtain quick and positive responses. [FURTHER JUSTIFICATION FOR OUR CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF JAMAICA'S POLICE FORCE SINCE THE PM WILL NOT CARRY OUT HIS LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES] He has today received from the police the files on the two broad areas he will have to consider as to whether criminal proceedings ought to be instituted and if so against whom. He has already indicated to the government that the expertise he needs for the range of the complex matters before him may require collaboration with security entities that are partners with us in a variety of mutual international security assistance/support programmes. We will give full support in getting whatever skills and technology he may need. The police force and the army are of supreme national importance because these are the institutions to which we entrust the safety and protection of every citizen. [THE GOVERNMENT MORESO THAN ORDINARY CITIZENS] This Government intends to build a strong, honest and competent police force. [DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE GOVERNMENT FIRST AND FOREMOST] If the police force is to carry out its responsibility of effectively securing our nation, the integrity of the force must be beyond reproach. We have to ensure the maintenance of public trust and confidence. [HOGWASH] As a consequence, the functions and structure of the Police Public Complaints Authority will be expanded and empowered to initiate investigations and to receive information and investigate complaints about corruption. [WHEN WILL HE SPELL OUT SO-CALLED EXPANDED POWERS?] I would just like to remind this Honourable House, that the Police Public Complaints Authority is a purely civilian body. The newly empowered panel of investigators will be civilians who are lawyers, accountants and other individuals with the requisite skills. These persons will be given the appropriate training to enable them to perform their functions effectively and impartially. Citizens will be able to call in to the existing toll-free numbers and make complaints without being identified. In the circumstances, this will now embrace full responsibility for investigating allegations of corruption against the police. [UNLESS THERE IS A CORONER'S COURT TO WHICH THESES INVESTIGATORS REPORT, AND NOT TO THE DPP, THERE WILL BE NO GREATER PROSECUTION OF POLICE CRIMES] Conclusion Madam Speaker, Let me end by saying something, which I believe, answers a fundamental question in the minds of many concerned Jamaican citizens at this time. I have focused my attention on the illegal wire-tapping allegations, because if illegality has occurred, it must be proved and dealt with according to law. [POLICE KILLINGS?] But that having been said, it is also the case that, if the DPP uncovers evidence of corruption or serious crime involving anyone, then the pursuit of those who are implicated must lead to their being brought to trial and, if found guilty, punished according to law. [ONLY BECAUSE THE ALLEGED CRIMES WERE COMMITTED AGAINST PATTERSON AND HIS MINISTERS] Madam Speaker, if out of this situation we come to that point where we make a difference to the unearthing of serious crime, the eradication of corruption and the strengthening and improvement of our security forces, then it will have contributed to a brighter day for our nation. [REALLY?] It is in that spirit that I urge full co-operation from all parties as we seek to initiate and conclude thorough investigations within the shortest possible time. [THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO POLICE BULLETS WOULD LIKE SIMILAR TREATMENT. AS THEY SAY IN FRENCH THIS IS ALL BULLSHIT BY THE PRIME MINISTER] Click here to return to Jamaicans United Against Police Brutality homepage. |