Pressure from the top caused the Commissioner to "jump"

There is confirmation this morning, that the Government has been under external pressure over the conduct of  some members of  the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) It concerned extrajudicial killings.

Howard Mitchell, a spokesman for Commissioner of  Police Owen Ellington, when pressed on the matter, admitted that aspects of  the Leahy Act had become operative in Jamaica. He told reporter Earl Moxam that the Commissioner more likely jumped than he was pushed, but clarified that "there certainly was pressure at the top of the cliff," for him to make that "jump."

Continuing, Mr. Mitchell said "critical to both of the reasons given by the Commissioner, in his release, is the issue of the Leahy Act and, in fact of human rights, generally."

The Leahy Law is a U.S. human rights law, that prohibits the U.S. State Department and Department of  Defence, from providing security assistance to foreign military units, that violate human rights with impunity. It is named after Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont who sponsored the bill.

Mr. Mitchell said "the publication and the publicity given to both the Public Defender's report of the Tivoli incursion and the police-involved killings being investigated by INDECOM (Independent Commission of Investigations) have brought great pressure on the Commissioner and on the Government to respond in a way that indicates that the Government is taking it seriously and that steps are being taken to address the alleged abuses."

And, when asked about claims that the Commissioner's US visa has been revoked, Mr. Mitchell said he was aware of the allegations but would prefer not to respond to that issue as this point in time.

Clarendon

In the meantime, sources have told RJR News, that US concerns about allegations of  a "death squad" in the Clarendon Police Division, have led to serious consequences. 
 
Our information is that the US Government enforced the provisions of  the Leahy Act, to press home its concerns. 

Asked specifically if  there is a firearms embargo, due to the allegations of extra-judicial killings in Clarendon, the U.S. Embassy in Kingston said  "the United States remained concerned about allegations of  extrajudicial killings by elements of  the J.C.F."  The statement added, "While Investigations into those allegations continue, the United States is managing assistance, in accordance with our laws and policies governing U.S. foreign assistance. 

Experts say that answer is cloaked in diplomatic speak, but they suggest it means yes.

The law was applied recently against St Lucia. In August last year, the U.S. suspended assistance to the St. Lucia police department, as a result of  allegations that 12 questionable police killings were committed during 2010 and 2011.