ROSE HALL, St James — Embattled former chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation Corporal Rohan James, who was not permitted by the police high command to attend the union’s 81st annual conference that got underway in St James Tuesday, says he will not be silenced and has vowed to use his influence to sway the outcome of Wednesday’s vote for the next executive.

“No one will be able to muzzle Rohan James. I will not be submissive to places where the security of the nation is compromised and for persons who are responsible to not be held accountable for their action or non-action,” he said Tuesday in response to questions from the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of the conference.

The event is being held at Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in St James May 21-23, 2024.

Before the conference, the newly elected chairman, Inspector Blanche Codner, told members in a letter that James would not be in attendance. Codner pointed out that the commissioner of police must approve attendance for non-delegates and that no approval was given to James, who presided over the conference as chairman last year. James has been at odds with the police high command and was interdicted over remarks he made in July last year at a colleague’s funeral.

On Tuesday he took issue with Codner’s letter.

“It lends itself for a deterioration of the members’ well-being to be placed in mayhem and the nation’s security to be placed at risk,” argued James.

He said, despite having a reservation, there were attempts to prevent him from entering the hotel.

“When I approached the facility this morning I had to remind the members of the security detail of the hotel that the reservation that was made had nothing to do with the conference and consequently they ought not to bring my presence to the hotel in conflict with the happenings of the conference. I had to remind them that they ought not to bring the hotel’s image into disrepute,” stated James.

He said the issue was resolved after the manager got involved.

During the conference, there was a verbal clash between Opposition spokesman on National Security Senator Peter Bunting, who argued that James was being muzzled by the police high command so he would step in and speak and advocate on behalf of rank and file members.

While most in attendance were vocal in their support of Bunting’s view, former federation chairman Inspector Patrae Rowe objected, eliciting a sharp retort.

“What is the point of order that you are interrupting my presentation? When you are making your presentation, you decide how you make it. I am invited to speak and I will decide how I make it,” argued Bunting.

Rowe pointed out that the matter against James is still under investigation, making Bunting’s line of argument inappropriate. Others weighed in until Police Commissioner Kevin Blake advised that Bunting should be allowed to make his presentation.

In reacting to the dust-up, James told the Observer that it was “a dark day in the history of the Jamaica Police Federation”.

“It is something that the members will have to treat with going forward in electing a committee and electing the quality of leadership and direction that we anticipate going forward,” he said.

The election of a new executive, including the chairman, will take place Wednesday evening. James, who appears to have strong support from many federation delegates, has warned it will not be smooth sailing.

“I am not able to offer myself but I will seek the best possible representatives to take the members’ business seriously and forward,” he vowed. “One thing to say for sure, I have given strategic guidance as to what it is that should emanate from our interaction and presence.”