The recent protest by human rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) against what they perceive to be the unacceptable number of police killings since the start of the year must be placed in perspective.

JFJ can be considered the premier human rights group operating in Jamaica. Founded over 20 years ago by the redoubtable Dr Carolyn Gomes, it has given important service to the country. Its work has been vilified and praised over the years, but by and large it has stuck to its task and remains a very important human rights organisation in Jamaica.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in recent time, has been doing impressive work in taming the crime monster in Jamaica. Last year murders were down significantly, and the trend has picked up pace in the new year. There is even talk by the Government that we could well see murders falling below 1,000 to 800 if the present trend continues this year.

This welcomed drop in the murder rate has given citizens the comfort that the police really seem to be getting on top of the vicious murder problem that has driven fear in the hearts of many. For the first time in living memory there is a consensus of praise from the Government, the Opposition, and the general public for the present Commissioner of police Dr Kevin Blake for the work of the force in containing crime.

This has come because the present Administration has spent billions of dollars to improve the efficiency of the force, especially in the areas of personnel, mobility, and intelligence gathering. For the first time, in the throes of a general election, crime might not be at the top of the list of concerns for the contenders for office. Even the Opposition has to be walking tamely or gingerly on the issue of violence in the society. To do otherwise and aggressively attack the Administration would give people the impression that they are being self-serving and are only doing so to gain political power. Furthermore, it would run counter to the experience of many that the police is really fighting hard to control crime and make their lives safer.

Hence the reaction of many to JFJ’s protest last Tuesday. It must be clear from the outset that JFJ is within its rights as an organisation to protest in what is still a free and democratic society. Any attempt to say otherwise is not acceptable and runs counter to the canons of free speech and the right to peaceful assembly to which we have subscribed since independence.

I am relieved to know that they were allowed to protest without any acrimony or, worse, violence directed towards them. The same sentiments attend those who protested in support of the police. One hopes that the black-blue divide remains only a matter of colour distinctions and will not evolve into any future contretemps that can give Jamaica a black and blue eye. I was very heartened to hear Commissioner Blake on a Nationwide News Network programme say that the JCF had “a very nice meeting” with the JFJ after the protest. This is what ought to obtain. We must be united in taking the fight to criminals and not to ourselves.

The concerns of JFJ are serious and must not be lightly dismissed. The insistence on police wearing body cameras is a case in point. It is truly a matter of accountability by the police. When police go on a raid and have to enter the home of a citizen, they will be on their best behaviour when they know the cameras are running. However good the training they received, it would be foolhardy to think that all police will abide by what they were taught. We have had unfortunate incidents of police going rogue and even killing citizens extrajudicially.

The wearing of masks is another matter of concern. When the police engage with the public, they should be clearly identifiable for purposes of accountability. One can understand the need for anonymity in special circumstances, like when they go on raids, but every effort must be made to make the citizen comfortable when they interface with those who have sworn to protect and serve them.

In saying this, the impression must not be conveyed that the high number of police killings are a result of the police being on a killing spree, mowing down ordinary citizens. I do not hear JFJ saying this, but it would be helpful to know of the number of largely young men and members of gangs who have been killed so far this year in violent confrontations with the police. Are there instances of extrajudicial killings? How many of those who have been killed are ordinary citizens going about their business and not interfering with the work of the police? This information would provide greater clarity on whether the police are on a killing spree or merely defending themselves.

Here we have the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) to provide us with these statistics. It must do its investigative work and ferret out wrongdoing wherever it exists. Criticisms and innuendoes without facts are dangerous indulgences which bring outcomes not conducive to anyone’s benefit. Let us allow Indecom to do its work meticulously, then we will be able to make fact-based commentary rather than offer opinions or assumptions.

Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, 2025

After 38 amendments, the Senate has passed the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, 2025. It is significant that the Bill has reached this stage, as the idea of regulating the teaching profession is one that has languished for over 20 years. It debases the imagination to even think that this state of affairs could have existed for so long, given the need for efficiency, professionalism, and accountability from one of the premier institutions (the teaching profession) in the country.

Yet, even at this stage, there seems to be some political pussyfooting afoot as the Opposition, through its spokesman on education Damion Crawford, seems to be objecting to some provisions and suggesting the inclusion of others. This after 38 amendments in which Opposition senators undoubtedly had a say. Every well-thinking Jamaican should hope that as the Bill goes through the Parliament for final passage it is not delayed inordinately. One hopes that it is not brought into the cross hairs of political gimmickry in this general election season. That would be a travesty indeed.

Dr Raulston Nembhard is a priest, social commentator, and author of the books Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms; Your Self-esteem Guide to a Better Life; and Beyond Petulance: Republican Politics and the Future of America. He hosts a podcast — Mango Tree Dialogues — on his YouTube channel. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or stead6655@aol.com.

Raulston Nembhard

The murder rate has been trending downwards since the start of the year.