News
JLP accuses Wilson of political bias
Saturday, September 04, 2010
THE ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday poured scorn on statements by Jamaica Police Federation chairman Sergeant Raymond Wilson, describing them as "a shameful display of political bias".
Wilson, during an address at the federation's 67th Annual Joint Conference in Ocho Rios, St Ann on Wednesday, accused the Government of blatant corruption as he blasted the administration for the millions paid to United States law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips to lobby the American Government against the extradition of former Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Wilson told the administration to place the same focus on the outstanding wage dispute with the police and even questioned its commitment to fighting crime.
In a statement yesterday, JLP General Secretary Karl Samuda "condemned" the statements, saying that Wilson "should exercise professional restraint and good sense in these very challenging times for all Jamaicans".
He said that "public servants should at all times avoid making political statements and moreso in the context of the present industrial relations climate".
"... The good men and women of the police force deserve the very best representation and Mr Wilson should not embarrass them with ill-considered and inappropriate comments," Samuda said.
Samuda's statement came a day after Government Senator Dennis Meadows said that the Police Federation chairman should be made to clarify his statements with his superiors.
Meadows, a deputy general secretary of the JLP, said Wilson's remarks were "disingenuous, disrespectful and contemptuous of the facts".
Said Meadows: "The tone and content of his speech is unbecoming of a civil servant, moreso, a police sergeant, and is inappropriate, particularly in a politically polarised environment. In fact, his pronouncement may serve to politicise the police force that has fought hard for years to remain above the political fray in the execution of its duties," Meadows said.
"...While respect must be afforded to Mr Wilson's right of free speech, he pushed the envelope in speaking to matters of politics and governance which [are] outside his remit as chairman of the federation and a non-gazetted police officer," added Meadows.
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9/5/2010
Anthony Everton -- Sgt. Wilson did not make allegations. If he had made allegations he would be sued by the JLP/Govt. tomorrow. What he stated are facts admitted by Mr. Golding.
Many of you who are condemining Sgt. Wilson and accusing him of political bias (drowning people clutching at straws) conveniently forget when the police cornered the then minister of finance at National Heroes Circle, holding him hostage until they got answers.
I did not her a peep then of politicial bias.
9/4/2010
Sorry to all those who may disagree with me but Sgt. Wilson has done a great disservice both to the Police Federation and the elected government. Now I KNOW that he is angry with the government refusal to pay monies owed to to the Police. But viciously attacking the government with insults and allegations isnt going to help the situation and might backfire!
Remember is this same govt. that let loose the security forces against the gunmen and have eliminated many of them with many more to go.
9/4/2010
Mr. Wilson is spot on.
9/4/2010
Mr. Wilson must be commended for his HONESTY and TRUTHFULNESS. For those with political agenda, the truth hurts. Well said Mr. Wilson. You did nor said nothing wrong.
9/4/2010
I agree with Mr. Wilson 100% & admire his boldness. More leaders should take a stand & call it as it is. The police need to take a strong stance against corruption at all to c change. For your stance Mr. Wilson the first thing the JLP will do is brand u PNP. They will try to lock up the whiste blower & spend millions to protect the criminal. Police rise up, JLP MP rise up. U R EITHER WITH R AGAINST BRUCE in the extradition matter. There is no middle zone & the JLP MP,s will be judged according.
9/4/2010
Dem no want to hear the truth. The truth shall set us free. In the United States anybody can say anything about the President without any repercussions. The govt put themselves in this position. Liar Liar pants on fire!!
9/4/2010
they voters,too, unions are known to have bias and , of,course, by voting for an y party,have to display a bias,, based upon factors influenced that decision.
If we right ,,,a mix up though.
9/4/2010
I'm not partisan & I state that regularly on this BLOG. Raymond Wilson was very irresponsible for making open political crticism. With his position in the JCF, he shouldn't have stooped that low. We can't have this open division with the security forces and the government of JA, if we want the win the war on Terrorist, merciless marauding gunmen. Shame on you Raymond Wilson. Your words will only further empower the criminals & put your officers life in jeopardy.
9/4/2010
Regrettably this is what one expects when confronted with a PM who does not command the respect of the people.
Golding and his government will be faced with more of this.
9/4/2010
The Jamaica Police Federation chairman Sergeant Raymond Wilson, misused the platform to just vent on his behalf only. If he was trying to build support for police wage increase, he threw it straight through the window by questioning police commitment to fighting crime, then mixing it up with the complex issue of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips situation. The man needs to learn to focus on the point at hand and avoid jumping all over the place like a politician.
9/4/2010
Sergeant Wilson hit the nail on the head. The only thing is that it is not only the JLP, it is both parties. All the garrison heads/MPs (JLP and PNP) are guilty of this behavior.
The PNP would not have behaved differently if Dudus was "their don".
9/4/2010
in other countries, senior law enforcement and political figures don't chastise each other via the media.
Who is really in charge here?
9/4/2010
Mr Wilson's comments are not erroneous or politically biased. The cold facts were admitted by the PM that he himself sanctioned the defence of Dudus, accused of exporting drugs into the US and guns and into Jamaica. We know that USD65,000 of USD400,000 was paid over to Manatt. We know that there was government involvement because the Solicitor General and Attorney General were involved in this defence. We also know that the gun is used to snuff out the lives of most Jamaicans killed yearly
9/4/2010
The statements made by Wilson in his capacity is a direct challenge and accusation with political bias and he should be dismissed. He has overstepped the boundary of his capacity.
9/4/2010
Though Bruce Golding, and the JLP have solicited these disrespectful darts being thrown at them, it still remain the Gov. and ruling party and therefore must behave as though it is not only in power but still in charge. The disrespectful, insobordinate, and disdainful outburst by this sgt must not go lightly. Sgt Wilson should be made to account for his actions. What he has done is much more that a political statement, it is an attack very institution of Gov.
9/4/2010
As expected Mr. Samuda is accusing Mr. Wilson of political bias because he criticized Govt's protection of Dudus. Whether it was the govt. who engaged Manatt or the JLP who did the pm has admitted that Manatt was engaged by one, to do just that. To me political bias would only have been if Mr. Wilson had said that nothing similar happened when the PNP was in office .
I think the police could care less which party forms the govt. so long as they get what they believe is due to them,
9/4/2010
It was not Mr. Wison who declared that the JLP party hired a US law firm to fight the extradition of a wanted fugitive. Mr. Wilson just merely restated what has been stated by Bruce. Bruce admitted the JLP party and his own involvement as leader in protecting the fugitive. Ultimately over 70 lives were lost. Members of the Government advertently or inadvertently, through their actions, led to the grave situation that caused so many lives. Man spoke truth! Leave him alone!!
9/4/2010
Once again cock mouth kill cock: "public servants should at all times avoid making political statements and moreso in the context of the present industrial relations climate". Isn't it amazing how everytime a finger is pointed, three point back? Or aren't members of parliament public servants?
9/4/2010
All well thinking police men and women should condemed the federation chairman for his political and unprofessional speech made on their behalf. There is no doubt that these men and women are most deserving and should be payed well. But the gutter politcal speeh made by the sergeant in my views are inappropriate. The police men and women deserves better representation. The opposition party should condemed such speeh as well remember, same knife that stick sheep will stick goat.
9/4/2010
I am yet to see what was inappropriate about Mr. Wilson's comments. I believe the JLP is experiencing the rage of Caliban. It cant bear seeing its image in the mirror. The JLP is a lying conniving set, who instead of coming clean only apologize to as much as comes out each time.
9/4/2010
B.S. The man spoke the truth what is wrong with you people? You underestimate the Jamaican people, if you come clean the people have shown they would be willing to let you off with a warning, considering all the other positives taking place in the economy.
Integrity still means something to us Jamaicans
9/4/2010
Dennis Meadow, Karl Samuda, you are the ones who are disingenuous, you cuddle Bruce Golding in his lies and deception for months and said nothing, now the Chairman of the Police Federation has spoken the truth and you are offended. You both should hang your heads in shame for what your party and government has done to the nation.
9/4/2010
Now,how does a policeman making statements with regards to his association become political bias.Is everything in Jamaica about politics.Is the JLP saying Mr Wilson is a PNP and if so what?Because you may be PNP you must say nothing even if it is affecting you?He did not mention the PNP is this article so I dont see the connection
9/4/2010
attack attack attack...anybody who challenges or calls them out on their blatant corruption. Everybody who doesnt agree with their actions are apparently engaging in political bias...the contempt of some of these Government officials knows no bounds.
I cant wait till the new extradition list is made public
9/4/2010
I hope their are no apologies coming from Wilson. Samuda and Meadows are fine. Wilson spoke on behalf of his fellow men in the force and the wider Jamaica. Every Jamaican is in agreement with Wilson. If Bruce, Samuda and Meadows dont believe that, then let them call an election. Plus the statement had to do with the Police federation and the government led by the JLP, that defended the consitutional right of a deportee boy. No JLP member is in a position to tell anybody about political bias.
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