MONTEGO BAY, St James

Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte has warned members of the security forces that she will be paying close attention to ensure that they do not abuse the rights of civilians.

Malahoo Forte, who is also the Member of Parliament for St James West Central, was speaking on Tuesday at the Montego Bay, Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay during the third in a series of islandwide town hall meetings put on by National Security Minister Robert Montague.

“I assure you Sir [Montague] that in my role as Member of Parliament I will ensure that all cooperation is provided to the security forces. But I say to the security forces also, in my role as Member of Parliament and as attorney general, I will be watching vigilantly how the security forces carry out their work in this challenging environment.

“I know SSP [Senior Superintendent of Police, Steve McGregor] understands my own view that the police — and Commissioner, you may be hearing it for the first time — are not entitled to break the law in their efforts to uphold the law, not entitled to abuse the rights of our citizens, however challenging the circumstances will be,” the attorney general warned.

“So as we dialogue together, as we cooperate, and as we look for solutions, in my dual roles, I certainly will be looking out to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected… our constitutional rights that are guaranteed are protected.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams, Montague and SSP Steve McGregor also addressed the well-attended town hall meeting.

— Horace Hines