Give INDECOM more power

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) for opening a Satellite Centre in St Thomas. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Under the leadership of Mr Terrence Williams, the commission has been doing a good job of investigating cases.

I implore Mr Williams and the investigators of INDECOM not to be discouraged by recent actions of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the Police Federation.

The INDECOM Act, which I have seen for myself, gives INDECOM the powers of a constable, and the last time I checked, constables had the power of arrest. I call upon the minister of justice to review the legislation and tighten up the language (if that is what it will take), so that it can be abundantly clear that INDECOM, an investigator, does have the power of a constable, thus the power of arrest.

Give INDECOM the teeth it needs to rid the security forces of the corrupt cops who have brought into disrepute the name of the JCF and JDF as well as others under the umbrella of the security forces. I remember the days when being a police officer was a profession of honour, when it was a profession held with great pride. Now, when mothers hear their sons say they want to be a police officer or soldier, they feel a sense of disappointment and alarm.

It is high time the profession be restored to its former glory. We cannot live without the help of the security forces. They are the ones who protect us and there are more good police officers than there are bad. We all need to recognise that. But I digress.

I urge the justice minister to revisit this piece of legislation, tighten up the language and give INDECOM the power it needs so the investigators can do their job without the police and the DPP questioning their authority and their powers under the Act. It is the right thing to do if we are to rein in those criminals in uniform who are posing as law enforcement officers.

Elizabeth Russell

Kingston 6

lizzi.russell@gmail.com

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Give INDECOM more power