Persons who carry out illegal acts must face the courts - commish office

The Office of the Commissioner of Police is making it clear that persons who carry out illegal acts, whether they are police officers or not, should face the courts.

Yesterday, the Private Sector of Jamaica (PSOJ) called for Police Commissioner Antony Anderson to respond to the recent conviction of Constable Collis 'Chucky' Brown in the Supreme Court.

Brown, who was fingered as part of a police 'death squad' that operated in Clarendon, was last week found guilty for the murders of Damoy Dawkins in 2009; and Dwayne Douglas and Andrew Fearon, both in December 2012; conspiracy to murder; and the wounding of a Crown witness.

The PSOJ criticised the commissioner's silence on the matter, arguing that his condemnation of Brown's actions is urgent in reassuring Jamaicans that such incidents will never recur.

"The trial of Collis Brown was a matter of great public interest. The allegations of police teams systematically acting on the instructions of senior police officers to target and kill individuals has the gravest consequences for the public's trust and confidence in the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force), as well as highlighting large-scale human-rights abuses," said a PSOJ release.

"The PSOJ would invite the commissioner of police to reassure the citizens of Jamaica that this unlawful practice has ceased; what measures have been put in place to ensure that it never happens again; what internal measures have been taken to investigate the evidence from Brown's trial to identify and investigate any serving police officers or those who may have since left the service."

INAPPROPRIATE TO MAKE FURTHER COMMENTS

However, in response, the Office of the Police Commissioner said, "In the current case, the accused was convicted based on his own evidence." However, the statement from the office added, "It would be inappropriate to make further comments on the case, as there are other connected matters related to the conviction."

Eleven more members of the JCF are expected to stand trial for their involvement in the so-called death squad in relation to murders committed between 2011 and 2014 in Clarendon.

"The Office of the Police Commissioner assures the public that it has paid keen attention to the case and its outcome. Even before the case came to trial, several initiatives were put in place to address issues that may have arisen out of the evidence presented and findings and comments of other groups and individuals," the commissioner's statement said.

"The office wishes to emphasise the imperative of all parties respecting the judicial process and to allow the law to take its course."