The Jamaica Constabulary Force High Command has defended the action taken against Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James over remaks he made recently at a funeral for a slain cop.

Corporal James was interdicted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Wednesday. Following a probe into the remarks, police commissioner Major General Antony Anderson had asked that disciplinary action be taken against him at a Court of Enquiry. He was subsequently interdicted from duty with immediate effect at three-quarters of his salary.

READ: Police Federation boss interdicted after criticising high command, faces dismissal

The JCF’s decision was on Thursday labelled as “extreme” by the Opposition People’s National Party, stressing that the action contravenes James’ constitutional right to free speech and requested that the Commissioner of Police reconsiders the decision.

“READ: PNP questions fairness of interdiction of Police Federation chairman – calls on Commissioner of Police to rescind action

But in a statement on Thursday, the JCF High Command said while it is “committed to preserving the right to free speech of all its members, it remains imperative that such freedoms are exercised in line with the established rules, regulations, and Force Orders to ensure the maintenance of the Force’s professionalism, integrity, and honour.”

The statement went on to explain that at the funeral service, Corporal James made several comments which became the subject of an internal investigation by the Inspectorate Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB). It said that following preliminary findings from the inquiry, Corporal James’ statements contravened JCF’s rules, regulations and force orders and were viewed as “disrespectful, unprofessional, unfitting of his office and rank, thereby potentially bringing the JCF into disrepute.”

It added that in keeping with its established protocols Corporal James is facing multiple charges and is scheduled to appear before a Court of Enquiry, stressing that he has been placed on interdiction during the course of these procedures.

The JCF said it “stands firm in its commitment to protect the integrity of our organisation and the trust placed in us by the public” and stressed that “every member of our Force is held to the highest standards” while highlighting that any “transgression from these standards is treated with the appropriate seriousness.”