Cops seeking to improve community relations after latest controversial killing

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

After visiting the incensed Orange Villa community in lower St Andrew in the aftermath of Monday's controversial police shooting, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington has highlighted the urgency needed to revamp and fast-track initiatives aimed at enhancing community policing this year.

Ellington told a Gleaner Editors' Forum yesterday that the shooting incident, which claimed the life of 27-year-old Robert Jackson, has helped to spur his team to facilitate improved relationship between the police and citizens.

Ellington, accompanied by National Security Minister Peter Bunting, visited the community to soothe tempers as residents protested what they claimed was the fatal shooting of an innocent man while the police were in pursuit of another.

"It doesn't set back community policing. It just highlights the challenge we face in delivering community policing that is grounded in trust," asserted Ellington. "It just spurs us to put out more effort in the attempt to build trust between the police and communities."

CLOSING THE RIFT

Ellington said the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is seeking to close the rift.

"Thankfully, we now have INDECOM, an independent body that investigates these situations, so that we don't have to be accused of covering up anything."

Added Ellington: "We rely on INDECOM to carry out its investigations and commit our full support, and what we do is to go into the community to give an assurance that this is going to be investigated independently, even as we continue to deliver service to the people."

In this regard, Ellington said the community initiative dubbed the Citizen Security and Justice Programne (CSJP) was entering its third phase with renewed focus. He said Bunting has revamped the programme, a decision with which he agrees.

FOCUS WIDENED

Like Bunting, Ellington said the CSJP was too narrowly focussed in its original form.

"I think what we need now out of the 'CSJP Three' is the building of community resilience, which means that the impact will be broader," he said. "It must impact more members of the community than a selected few."

Ellington disclosed that there will be increased focus on proximity policing with the erection of small posts in some communities.

"You can have the police living and working and protecting the citizens, thereby creating an environment in which people can create commerce and other things with the confidence that the police will be there to protect them," he said.

He revealed that a briefing was convened with various elements of the CJSP last week at the Ministry of National Security.

"There is a role in it for law enforcement. I see where some resources may come in our (the Jamaica Constabulary Force's) direction to assist in building our community efforts," he said.

Ellington said a second phase of the USAID Comet Programme - a programme of activities funded by the US government that supports community safety and community resilience, among other things - has been launched.