Will the JCF please clarify?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing regarding a troubling trend I am noticing. This is in regard to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) using their personal cell phones to videotape citizens and post the footage on social media.

Over the past year, I have seen about three such videos on social media, and in all these videos, some of the men, out of anger and objection to being videotaped, identified themselves as being gay.

Everyone in Jamaica is aware of how homophobic and vitriolic some members of the Jamaican society can be towards those they perceive to be gay.

In the most recent video being circulated on social media, one of the men begged the police officer not to videotape him and went as far as stating where he was from as reason why he should not be videotaped. However, his earnest plea was ignored by the police officers.

UNETHICAL PRACTICE

These police officers have sworn to ‘Serve, Protect and Reassure’ all Jamaicans, yet they continue to endanger the lives of some through this reckless practice.

As someone who grew up in Jamaica, I know at first hand the potential dangers and risk factors involved in exposing someone based on their sexual identity. These risks sometimes extend to even their family members. Being a creature of the law, our police officers need to be more sensitive to these issues and act more professionally when discharging their duties.

In light of these incidents, I am wondering whether or not the hierarchy of the JCF will continue to allow their members to continue this unprofessional practice with impunity.

It cannot be acceptable practice for law enforcement to use their personal cell phones to videotape citizens during routine traffic stops and then post it on social media. The Police High Command needs to go on record articulating their policy position on this matter. This action will indeed educate citizens and, hopefully, deter police officers from participating in this unethical practice.

RALSTON CHAMBERLAIN

Toronto, Ontario