INDECOM probing police’s role in Mandeville mob killing
MANDEVILLE, Manchester – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has joined the probe into last Friday’s mob killing of 62-year-old Chieftin Campbell in this south-central town.
Speaking with the Jamaica Observer on Monday, commissioner of INDECOM Hugh Faulkner explained that the commission is investigating the police’s intervention and subsequent arrest of Campbell.
“Part of our mandate [is that] once a person dies in police custody… we have to investigate. We are also looking at the nature of the response, given that [he] was injured,” said Faulkner.
Campbell, who was described as a well-respected citizen and dedicated community member of Victoria Town in southern Manchester, died after a crowd of people beat him on lower Manchester Road days before his wedding, which was planned for Thursday.
Police theorise that his killing was a case of mistaken identity.
However, during last Saturday’s protest by residents of Victoria Town, who used debris and downed trees to block sections of the main road in their community, the police were being blamed for their response in handcuffing Campbell.
“Police handcuffed the man and the man telling [the police] that he is diabetic and it is tight around his hand,” Victoria Town resident Verna Brookshudson said on Saturday.
Head of the Manchester police Superintendent Lloyd Darby on Friday explained that officers were on foot patrol in Mandeville when they saw the crowd.
“The crowd accused the man of stealing and the police realised that he had blood around the area of his nostrils,” said Darby.
He said the police took Campbell to the Mandeville Regional Hospital where he died while undergoing treatment.
Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, during a radio interview on Sunday, said investigators would be reviewing footage of the mob killing.
But Faulkner told the Observer that a senior investigator is among the INDECOM team being assigned to the case.
“They are on the ground and in addition to that, because a death occurred we have introduced our family liaison officer to speak with the grieving parties. We are doing the investigation and at the same time we are trying to touch the humanitarian side,” he said.
He added that he sympathises with the people of Victoria Town and is encouraging the public to refrain from carrying out mob attacks.
“Generally speaking, I always encourage people to let the law take its course, and it is risky and unlawful to take the law into your own hands in particular circumstances,” said Faulkner.
“When a mob accuses you of something there is no not guilty plea. If the mob accuses you of doing something, it is only a guilty outcome. You can’t appeal anything. You can’t have a trial to give your side of the story. You are never presumed innocent. You are only presumed guilty, and regardless of the offence, normally under our system, capital murder would carry the death penalty. But you might find that in mob instances, death happens even for larceny.
“I encourage people that, even if they are upset, even if they have suffered a loss, that they let the law take its course,” added the INDECOM head.