Councillors express concern at police no-show at monthly meetings

Councillors at the Manchester Municipal Corporation office this week vented their disappointment at the divisional police’s repeated no-show at its monthly meetings.

Deputy Mayor Rohan Kennedy was visibly upset that the police were not present at even the first monthly meeting to start the new year, 2024.

“I want to also add my voice in despair because we have noticed that our parish has been overrun with criminals and a lot has been taking place and, for the police to be absent, it seems very suspicious. And we are wondering why they are not here. It’s an agency, why is it only councillors of this municipality seated when we have a collective effort?” Kennedy said.

His concern was shared by Councillor Claudia Morant-Baker, of the Porus division, who said:

“Thank you, Mr Chair. On the matter of the police not being here, it’s a concern for me at the Porus Division as well, as we have seen recently how often there are incidences of shootings. We should be (able) - in the way of a collective effort - to come together to minimise these things, so that the people of Porus can feel comfortable,” she said.

Morant-Baker told the meeting that the police’s continued absence was creating concerns for all representatives and their constituencies. Minutes later, she delivered a message to the deputy mayor and councillors, that the superintendent of police at the Mandeville Police branch, Shane McCalla. advised that he would not be able to make it to the meeting.

The deputy mayor, speaking with The Gleaner after the meeting, expressed his frustration.

“I must deal with this security issue because the police dem not coming to the meetings, and this is the third time,” he said.

“Amongst the monthly reports and planning, the councillors, as a collective, feel that the presence of the police agency at these meetings is very important. And them not showing up is a matter that needs immediate attention.”

He said the council would be seeking dialogue with the police on the reason for their repeated absence from the municipality’s monthly meetings.