Police continue protest after colleague arrested, brought before court in uniform

 

Attorney Clyde Williams has said last week's incident involving a judge and the police constable at St. Elizabeth Parish Court has brought the justice system into disrepute.

 

Mr. Williams said the manner in which the police officer was brought to court was wrong. 

 

"I'm not speaking about whether he should be brought before the court. I'm speaking about the manner in which the policeman was brought before the court is plainly wrong - in handcuffs - plainly wrong. That's not the manner in which we bring Jamaican citizens and residents before the courts because they didn't turn up for a hearing. If the court issued a bench warrant, what would typically occur was that that bench warrant would be stayed until the date when the person must come," he explained. 

 

He believes that the judge could have dealt with the matter administratively by writing to the Police Commissioner about the constable's conduct. 

 

But Mr. Williams also chided the police for how they handled the matter, suggesting the officers behaved "like two year olds, screaming and ranting and raving". 

 

"When things are done that are plainly wrong, use the administrative avenues to address them. In this case, write to the Chief Justice and complain about the activity and the actions of the judge. Copy it to the Commissioner of Police, your boss. Don't draw your services out you. In other words, you must remain professional, notwithstanding another person exceeding their authority," the attorney contended. 

 

He was speaking on Sunday on Radio Jamaica's weekly news review programme, That's a Rap.