No hanky-panky in the zones
Security forces reject sexual misconduct allegations against police and soldiers
THE LEADERSHIP of t he Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have rejected claims that members of the security forces are engaging in sexual relationships with women in the two zones of special operations (ZOSO) and St James, where a state of public emergency is in place.
Colonel Daniel Pryce, who heads the JDF team in St James, recently told The Sunday Gleaner that the claims have been investigated and have been found to be bogus.
“I have heard about it but it is not inside the ZOSO. When it was investigated, it was all mischief. That is what I know. But if you have more pertinent information, we will quickly investigate and take action,” said Pryce.
Acting Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake told our news team that he had not heard the allegations.
“I invite you to provide me with any information that you have that can assist,” said Blake.
SEXUAL LIAISONS
But residents of the areas covered by the zones of special operations in Denham Town, West Kingston, and Mt Salem, St James, are adamant that the members of the security forces are entering into sexual liaisons.
When our news team visited Denham Town recently, several residents said that they were well aware of the sexual relationships and charged that at least one of their neighbours is pregnant for a policeman.
Jermaine Hyatt, councillor for the Denham Town division, said that whispers of the sexual connections had reached him.
“I’ve heard about relationships between members of the security forces and the residents,” said Hyatt, who added that he had no knowledge of the pregnancy.
“This is the first time that the community is enjoying this level of peace that is being instilled by t he State. The peace itself is not coming through any don.
“This is new to the people and that has started a culture change for them to begin to accept that the State can do this. So the change has started,” added Hyatt.
SOLDIER CLOTHES
Over in Mount Salem, reports have emerged that some police and soldiers are in open relationship with the women. “When you pass some yard a pure solider clothes you see on lines,” said one of the residents, who charged that the members of the security forces are living with the women.
The concern is even greater in Bottom Pen community where residents have charged that members of the security forces are having sex with women inside the Bottom Pen Holiness Church.
“The man dem nuh have no behaviour, don’t care how ungodly a man is, him usually show respect to the church,” one resident told The Sunday Gleaner.
But Pastor Aubrey Lewis, who heads the church, told our news team that while he had heard the allegations, he had no evidence to suggest that any act of immorality took place inside the building.
According to Lewis, he was concerned enough to raise the matter with the JDF hierarchy, and was satisfied that actions would be taken to ensure that the sanctity of the church is protected.
He said that he has no difficulty with having the soldiers remaining at his church, provided they operate in a manner that is befitting of the house of the Lord.
“As you would have noticed, we are almost crime-free in St James since the start of the state of emergency, and I am sure there are wrongdoers out there who are not pleased about it and would probably want to make mischief,” said Lewis.
This is new to the people and that has started a culture change for them to begin to accept that the State can do this. So the change has started