COP CLASH

A firestorm of criticism has been directed at police chief Major General Antony Anderson following his decision yesterday to interdict the head of the police union for perceived “disrespectful” comments.

Anderson, the police commissioner, ordered the immediate interdiction of Corporal Rohan James, chairman of the Police Federation, and directed that he should face three disciplinary charges before a court of enquiry related to comments he made during the funeral for slain cop Damien Blair.

The Federation is the union that represents police men and women from the rank of constable to inspector.

James was also ordered to hand over his police identification card and other government-issued properties in his possession and not leave the island without the permission of the governor general.

He will be paid three-quarters of his salary.

Angry rank-and-file members of the Jamaican police force slammed the commissioner's decision, calling it “unprecedented” and charging that it reeked of politics.

They warned, too, that normalcy could not be guaranteed going forward.

“That is straight politics. I am in about four police WhatsApp groups and the sentiment is the same ... disrespect dat and go-slow is what is happening and will continue to happen,” one crime-fighter told The Gleaner.

The views were the same in other groups with retired police men and women, he disclosed.

“This is history. In my 30-odd years [in the police force], it's the first me see something like this. You remember Raymond Wilson, they tried it with him and had to withdraw,” said one policeman, referring to one of James' predecessor.

But there was no hint of any animosity for Corporal Arlene McBean, general secretary of the federation, who urged her colleagues to “continue to be safe and protect the citizens of Jamaica”.

“We will definitely be communicating further,” said McBean, a former chairman of the federation, in a message to members yesterday.

The main parliamentary Opposition urged Anderson to “immediately” rescind James' interdiction, calling it “unjust”, a violation of his constitutional rights and “a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching implications for labour rights and freedom of expression”.

“Expressing concerns about the upholding of a court order should not be grounds for punitive action, but rather seen as a responsible act in the interest of justice,” the People's National Party said in a statement yesterday.

James has been accused of breaching two police force orders, dated June 17, 2010 and May 29, 2014, as well as the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Code of Conduct, according to document seen by The Gleaner.

Under charge one, James is accused of conducting himself “contrary to the discipline, good order and guidance of the force” for comments made at the funeral held two Saturdays ago.

“You communicated to the public press on issues relating to the implementation of the workforce management system and overtime payment without the permission and authority of the Commissioner of Police,” the document said.

Under charge two, the federation chairman was accused of being “disrespectful to seniors in rank” for saying during the service: “Mark my word, and I also want to say to the Police High Command and to our commissioner, God help you if the membership is not paid their overtime come this month.”

In charge three, he is accused of making public comments criticising the “administration of the Jamaica Constabulary Force with regard to overtime payment, which attracted a high level of media interest”.

Efforts to speak with James were unsuccessful up to late yesterday.

Bert Samuels, one of the attorneys representing James, told The Gleaner that within the next two working days they intend to file a claim for judicial review of the commissioner's decision.

Samuels said he could not speak to his client's mood since the interdiction, but said James understands the frustration of the rank-and-file members when he was carrying out his duties on their behalf.

“He is asking them to be calm and allow the court to deal with the matter,” Samuels said.

James has frequently used the funerals of slain cops to advocate for the welfare of serving members.

At the funeral in question, he made several references to the high command and even singled out the police commissioner.

“I also want to say to our high command and council of deputies that the federation is not going to be muzzled, intimidated nor bamboozled. We negotiate with government, not with high command,” he said.

“The council of deputies have no moral authority to tell us what to do when a court orders that we are to be paid overtime work,” James said, referring to deputy commissioners of police.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com