Attorney-General and Justice Minister A J Nicholson on Wednesday scolded Amnesty International for what he described as biased reporting on Jamaica, and accused the human rights organisation of not fully understanding the circumstances under which Jamaican policemen operate.

At the same time, he warned graduating cops that being issued with a firearm does not give them a licence to kill, neither should they become judge, jury and executioner.

“I carry no special brief for Amnesty International, because I believe they do not understand the circumstances under which Jamaican police live and die,” Nicholson told police graduates at their passing out parade at the Jamaica Police Academy in Twickenham Park, Spanish Town.

“They do not understand that we have gunmen in Jamaica who are determined to cause murder, mayhem and destruction because that is the only way of life that they wish to pursue.”

Against this background, Nicholson said Amnesty should show greater appreciation of the circumstances in which Jamaica’s police officers have to work, and called on the rights group to ease up and show balance in their description of Jamaica.

Amnesty and the Jamaican government have had frequent scraps over the past 10 years over alleged extra-judicial killings by the police and the rights group’s seeming attempt to get the buggery laws changed here.

In its latest report, Amnesty said that at least 168 people were killed by police last year. Many of these killings, they suggested, were extra-judicial.

In his address on Wednesday, Nicholson said that he agreed with Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas’ assessment that the Jamaican police were dealing with criminals who know only one language – the language of the gun.

However, the justice minister warned the 167 rookie cops that when they are issued with a gun it did not give them the right to kill. “Remember that when the State puts a gun in your hand, this is not a licence to kill,” said Nicholson. “It is not a licence for you to become judge, jury and executioner. You hold the gun in your hand in trust for the protection of the people of Jamaica. The gun must not be an implement used to abuse the very people who look to you for protection.”

Urging the new cops to show restraint in the use of deadly force, Nicholson reminded them that the government would not turn a blind eye to police killings that did not follow the law, as that would drive the society into further lawlessness.

Reminding the cops that they may use deadly force only in self defence or in other circumstances permitted by law, Nicholson said: “I know this is part of your training. I know you are instructed to use force only as a matter of last resort. This has constantly been said, and you must constantly be reminded so that it becomes cemented in your thoughts and drive the way you perform your duties.”

In his charge to the new cops, Commissioner Thomas said they would be called on to give exceptional service to the nation which looked to them for quality leadership, speedy, courteous and professional help and warned them to show respect and understanding to the public.

He told the rookies to empower themselves with requisite knowledge to become efficient and effective, and instructed that they must learn the geography of their patrol districts. He also advised them to persevere even in the face of discouragement.

Constable Krishna Walker, who gained the highest mark of 88 per cent during the six-month course, won the Dr Orett Pencil Award.

Other awardees included Constable Conroy Samuda for Best All-round Performer; Constable Stacey-Ann Gordon, Most Disciplined; Constable Courtney Cassell, Best Leadership Qualities; and Constable Evan Mayne, who copped the award for displaying Best Christian Principles.