RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE EMERGENCY POWERS ACT

With crime escalating at an alarming rate across the country, and the parish of St James recording 335 murders last year, the Government declared a state of public emergency in the tourism capital last week. Yesterday, The Emergency Powers Act was tabled in Parliament, outlining the rules and regulations under the act.

Below are a few key outlines of the 45-point proclamations, rules and regulations governing the state of public emergency under The Emergency Powers Act.

An authorised person may:

1. Arrest without warrant anyone deemed in the process of committing a crime.

2. Detain, arrest, search (individuals) and seize (property) of anyone suspected of contravening the Emergency Powers Act.

3. Confine individuals to places of residence. 4. Order the closure of premises. 5. Control places of public resort and entertainment.

6. Provide special permits to individuals for purposes of the Regulations, which must be produced for permission and inspection.

7. Charge an individual who forges or tampers with any special documents or permits granted by the security forces under the state of public emergency.

8. Individuals detained and charged may be restricted in receiving bail.

9. The act will allow for the establishment of a tribunal for review of cases of detention or restriction.

10. Security forces are protected from lawsuits in the discharge of duties under The Emergency Powers Act.

[See the full ‘The Emergency Powers Act’ at www.gleaner-jamaica.com]