IN a thinly-veiled swipe at PNP politicians – including security minister Peter Phillips – who attended Willie Haggart’s funeral three years ago but were absent yesterday from that of slain police inspector Lascelles Walsh, the Police Federation’s chairman, Cpl Raymond Wilson, lashed out at those leaders whose actions, he suggested, gave legitimacy to criminals.

Walsh was one of three cops shot dead in a nine-hour period between the night of May 3 and the morning of May 4 in a series of apparently orchestrated attacks against the police and private security officials, causing outrage in Jamaica and widespread condemnation as a challenge to the state. The Cross Roads police station was also attacked during one of the killings.

At yesterday’s funeral service for Walsh at the Church of the Open Bible on Washington Boulevard in Kingston, a number of senior officials of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) were present, including:

. the shadow security minister, Derrick Smith;

. general-secretary, Karl Samuda; and

. chairman, Dr Ken Baugh.

But top members of the government and the ruling People’s National Party, with the exception of junior finance minister, Fitz Jackson, were conspicuously absent – a fact that further highlighted Wilson’s remarks.

“Persons bent on destroying our society are fast gaining prominence,” said Wilson, in an emotional tribute on behalf of his orginisation that represents police officers up to the rank of inspector. “Their funerals are attended by those who lead us, giving legitimacy to their heinous acts.”

Wilson did not call names but his statement was a clear reference to the controversial attendance in 2001 of Phillips, finance minister Omar Davies and PNP vice-president and former water and housing minister, Karl Blythe at the funeral in the national arena for Willie Haggart.

Haggart, whose real name was William Moore, was the reputed don of Arnett Gardens, a pro-PNP “garrison” community in Davies’ South St Andrew constituency. He was cut down in a drive-by shooting in the community that killed at least two other persons.

Although Haggart was never charged by local cops, a senior police officer, giving testimony in 2002 at a commission of inquiry into the West Kingston violence, fingered him as a key drug smuggling suspect.

Yesterday, Davies, who has just returned from a business trip to the United States, declined to comment on Wilson’s statement, which he had not himself heard. “A comment at this time would not be useful,” he said.

Phillips was not immediately available for comment. His aides said he was attending a function in St Elizabeth on behalf of Prime Minister P J Patterson, who is abroad. Phillips is in charge of the government in Patterson’s absence.

Blythe could not be reached by telephone for a reaction.

It was not immediately clear whether Phillips was aware of the date and time of Walsh’s funeral when he accepted the St Elizabeth assignment, but last year the security minister, who has repeatedly spoken out against the dangers posed by drug bosses and other criminals, publicly conceded that he erred when he attended Willie Haggart’s funeral.

Davies, who like Phillips and Blythe is vying for the post-Patterson leadership of the PNP, has never specifically apologised for attending the funeral.

In fact, the finance minister initially defended his decision, arguing that he had gone as a matter of respect for a constituent who had helped in his efforts to build peace in one of the capital’s most volatile communities. He had blasted the “self-righteous judgement” of his critics.

While Wilson’s allusion to the political leadership drew the most attention at yesterday’s funeral service, they were not the only ones on the receiving end of the sharp edge of his tongue. Family members who shield criminals and entertainers who glorify violence were also sharply criticised.

“Let us not be naive,” Wilson said. “There are Christian mothers and grandmothers who are giving haven to these animals when they have no regard for life. There are some entertainers who continue to promote violence.”

Wilson’s was one of 12 tributes, which included dance, song and speech, offered during the three-and-a-half hour service at the over-packed church. Mourners spilled into the churchyard.

Walsh’s daughter, LaDonnia, broke down after she sang a rendition of the popular Celine Dion ballad, Good-bye, and had to be consoled by her mother throughout the service.

State Minister Fitz Jackson, Norma Brown-Bell and Henry Stennett of Radio Jamaica, The Clifton New Testament Church of God, Papine High School, Vaz Preparatory School, Hope Valley Experimental School, the Jamaica Football Federation president, Creston Boxhill, Ambassador Madge Barrett and the Police Traffic Division also offered tributes.

At the time of his death, Walsh was head of the Greater Portmore Traffic Division and at one time was a familiar voice on RJR’s morning Traffic Report.

At the beginning of the service, loud cheers erupted in the building upon the arrival of the former head of the now-disbanded Crime Management Unit, Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams. He then received a standing ovation.

Walsh was shot off his service motorcycle at the intersection of Barry and Church streets in downtown Kingston. Police say he was shot 27 times. Twenty of the bullets were said to be AK47 rounds while the other seven were fired from a 9mm pistol. All the bullets entered his body from the back.

The policeman is survived by seven children and a widow. He attended the Papine Secondary School and taught mathematics at his alma mater before gaining employment at Marzouca Ltd. He joined the police force at the age of 20 where he started out on the beat and foot patrol.

Walsh was buried at the Dovecot Memorial Park where he was honoured with a gun salute by a police honour guard.