Dear Editor,

Reading the news articles surrounding the death of Mario Deane in the custody of the police I get lost right around the part where his death becomes about the decriminalisation/legalisation of ganja.

While I am not against the idea of Jamaica partaking in the lucrative profits of marijuana, I am disappointed that the main point of this controversy is being diluted.

Allegations of police excesses under circumstances like these are far too frequent. Since the police are not proven to be guilty of anything, let’s consider them to be innocent of such an offence.

At the very least, however, the actions of the officer who allegedly aborted the bail process arbitrarily, precipitated the circumstances that led to the death of Mario Deane. This person should face the full brunt of the law.

Further, even if the official story is to be accepted, there remains one glaring fact that demands justice. The police reneged on their sworn duty to protect this man. Iit is their negligence that caused his death and no officer who was on duty in the Barnett Street Police Station at the time in question should be spared of culpability.

“To serve, protect and reassure” is not selective in its application; Jamaica Constabulary Force salaries rest squarely on the shoulders of the taxpayers of Jamaica and every Jamaican should be reasonably protected regardless of whether or not he/she likes the police. Be under no illusions about it.

This is but one of the manifestations of a systemic failure of our Government, another manifestation can be seen at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital. These are the end results of the culture of low accountabilty that has been perfected in Jamaica. It begins small and we all know about the mile taken when an inch is given. We need to be moving toward a system in which everyone can expect to be treated fairly, whether rich or poor, fond of the police or not.

This system will not appear out of thin air, people must be accountable. The ganja spliff that led to the arrest of Mario Deane is inconsequential, the fact to be observed is that he died due to injuries he received under questionable circumstances in the care of the police. If people were accountable and the system transparent it wouldn’t matter that he was arrested for a ganja spliff; he might’ve paid the ludicrous fine as smokers have been doing for years and moved on. Injustice in whatever form must be resisted.

We have been warned: “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” — Haile Selassie

Shane Heaven

New York, USA

shane.heaven01@gmail.com