Citizens should allow lawmen to do their jobs

THE EDITOR, Madam:

SOCIAL MEDIA came alive on Sunday, March 10, when a video resembling an action movie made the rounds. The video involved members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) trying to arrest a man while residents tried to prevent them. The video has amassed thousands of comments from viewers, with some believing that the police officers were Christians, and others disgusted at the actions of the residents. While the details of the incident are yet to be heard, the frequency of similar videos is very troubling. To see residents kicking, punching, slapping or holding on to the gun or clothing of police officers while on duty are recipes for disaster.

In February 2019, a bus driver was shot and injured in Spaldings, Clarendon, after he was empowered by the crowd to push a police officer. This was after arrangements were made for his bus to be placed on a wrecker due to breaches of the Road Traffic Act (RTA). He was subsequently arrested and charged for various offences. Fighting the police can never be an acceptable way to voice or deal with a disagreement. There are a number of organisations and groups set up for the purpose of dealing with injustice against citizens. Some of these organisations/ groups are INDECOM, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), Inspectorate of Constabulary (IOC), Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB), among others.

OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

We often see residents dragging suspects away from officers and placing themselves between the police and suspects to prevent arrests. These actions amount to obstructing the police in the execution of their duties. We often accuse the lawmen of not doing their jobs and when they do, we stand in the way. We cannot eat our cake and still have it. It should be noted that police officers have to give an account to their superiors for their actions while they are on duty. This was evident with a viral video, made by some officers in their uniform engaged in a TikTok trend, which caused disciplinary action to be taken against them. Hence, as residence we should allow due process to flow.

According to what was seen in the video of the police officers trying to arrest the man, the commissioner of police needs to address the nation and also the JCF on the dos and don’ts of arrest. The rights groups should also take this opportunity to remind the citizens of their rights and responsibilities, when dealing with the security forces. The police should not be allowed to abuse citizens, and citizens should allow the police to do their jobs without obstruction. We should all be mindful of the situation taking place with our next door neighbour where law and order has broken down. If lawabiding citizens and the security forces do not unite, then criminals gangs will be calling the ‘shots’ in Jamrock.

CONCERNED CITIZEN