Two retired crime fighters, who say they had to deal with unjust criticism during their service, have said that the actions of a few rogue cops continues to stain the overall image of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

One of the most recent sullying cases surrounds the eight police officers who are said to be members of the Clarendon-based Ronko Gang which is linked to shootings, burglary, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of firearm, shop breaking, conspiracy to murder and abductions in nine parishes between 2019 and 2021.

Retired Superintendent Ionia Ramsay Nelson, the police force’s first woman motorcyclist, told the Jamaica Observer that cops who are exposed for their involvement in criminal activities not only affect the JCF, but also the families of police officers and the nation.

“Why? Because the JCF is expected to provide security… not to be involved in unlawful situations that will affect the image and the security of our nation. However, it is also a reflection of the corruption generally in the country. A lot of focus is placed on the JCF, and I understand why, but when you look right across the board on some of the organisations and the individuals who are involved in unlawful and illegal situations, we tiptoe around it,” Ramsay Nelson said.

“The policemen were not created by the JCF. They were recruited as citizens from the communities, trained and sent out there to do work. So, if you came in with corruption on your mind, regardless of how carefully they are screened, they will continue to be corrupt.”

Ramsay Nelson told the Sunday Observer that these cases also cause the public to lose trust in the JCF.

“It should, but with a caution. If we need a police force and sure we do, we need to assist in building it and a lot of people just criticise. They offer nothing to assist the JCF. For as long as I can remember, the JCF has always been seen as this tool or this set of people who will go here, go there and do this and do that. People don’t realise the sacrifice these officers and their families make. Every morning, noon or night you leave your house, it is highly likely that you will not return,” she reasoned.

Further, according to the 2019 Jamaica National Crime Victimisation Survey, conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin), 65.2 per cent of Jamaicans 16 and older, felt that the JCF was most corrupt, ahead of the Firearm Licensing Authority. The survey had a sample size of 6,354 persons and covered September 2018 to August 2019.

Ramsay Nelson said this type of public perception is disheartening.

“It kills the spirit. I remained alive because I am a part of a religious body, and I joined the force at 19 with the intention to make the country better. It’s beyond what any other public servant gets. I had a mentor outside of the JCF, a church elder, and we would sit and talk and pray about matters.”

Former Detective Corporal Godfrey Dyer agreed. He said the reality of one officer is perceived to be the reality of the entire constabulary.

“When a serving police officer commits himself in criminality, it does affect the image of the other serving officers. It does not matter how innocent one may be; many people start creating doubt on other people as well. So, it does affect the image of the other police officers who serve. It’s a very serious problem. I am sorry for the honest policeman. I’m really sorry for them,” Dyer told the Sunday Observer.

Dyer shared that this was also an issue while he was a part of the force.

“Not as frequently as now, and of course, when I was in the force, they had much less people. I left the force since 1972, but I served for 13 years. From time to time, you did have policemen who commit themselves to criminality and all other officers usually feel it,” he said.

“Once it’s a police, everybody starts to look at you differently… no matter how honest you are. However, in spite of the numbers, they (rogue cops) are still the minority in the force. But a lot of people don’t trust the police now. That sets back the effectiveness of the police.”

Last month, Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Stewart, who is in charge of the administration portfolio, said 17 members of the JCF were refused re-enlistment for various disciplinary breaches in 2021 while speaking during a virtual press conference on a report issued by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). The report questioned the integrity of the JCF in disciplining its members.

Meanwhile, throughout Dyer’s 13-year tenure, he served the first three years as a regular policeman in Highgate, Port Maria and Gayle in St Mary. For the remaining 10, he served as a detective.

“Police were respected. When you go out on duty, people respect you. And police live up to certain standards. Police are involved in too many things now and that is what breaks down the respect too. And because of that, people look at everybody and believe ‘you are another one.’ That breaks down the respect that the police force usually enjoys,” he lamented.

In a presentation to Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) on Wednesday, April 13, Deputy Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake argued that members of the JCF who choose criminality should pay a higher price than other categories of perpetrators.

Blake said they should be treated “way, way harsher” because they are paid by the taxpayers and the stakeholders to provide security.

But Ramsay Nelson said: “All public servants to whom certain responsibility is entrusted; they all should pay a higher price.”

Ramsay Nelson also told the Sunday Observer that organisations that have the type of resources to help rogue lawmen to do things that are “unkind and unfair” usually don’t face any consequences.

“And a lot of people, before they say we are sorry or the company is sorry for what we did to a customer or a citizen, they prefer to pay a lawyer a million dollars to defend them and to say they are right.”

In the same breath, she urged the force to speak up against the popular generalisation of all officers as “thieves” and “criminals.”

“Police must start defending themselves in instances when the broad brush is used unnecessarily.”

Dyer told the Sunday Observer he believes: “The law should just be fair to everybody, and they shouldn’t be singled out for any greater punishment. They should be punished but not necessarily greater punishment than what would be given to anybody else.”

He said more attention should be placed on recruitment.

“In my days, recruiting measures were much stronger. They checked your background, there were standards you had to meet… it’s not just something where you walk up and pass a test and go in. You were investigated and once the background is checked. It was much different from now. My days were completely different.”