MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) Commissioner Terrence Williams has called on critics of his agency to desist from using “falsehoods” which he claimed only serve to demoralise police personnel.

Addressing the Rotary Club of Mandeville late Tuesday, Williams who is into his second five-year term as commissioner reminded his listeners that INDECOM was set up because of overwhelming evidence that public distrust of the police was undermining law enforcement.

INDECOM was set up in 2010 as an independent body “to undertake investigations concerning actions by members of the security forces and other agents of the State that result in death or injury to persons or the abuse of the rights of persons; and for connected matters”.

Speaking against the backdrop of an emotional speech on the weekend by head of the Police Federation Raymond Wilson at the funeral of slain police woman Crystal Thomas, Williams said the police and the wider society had already reaped rewards from the setting up of INDECOM five years ago.

He noted that when INDECOM came into being, there were over 200 police killings annually. Last year the total was down to 150 and indications were that for this calendar year the total would be much less.

Williams said all concerned should recognise that the vital “public support” for law and order can only come when there is recognition that the police force is a truly professional body carrying out its mandate to serve and protect.

‘That public support can only come when there is a widespread perception that the members of the force are accountable for their actions; that corruption and oppressive conduct is detected and corrected rather than condoned,” Williams said.

Garfield Myers