Bunting rejects claim of political interference in JCF matter

By Prince Moore    

 

Opposition Spokesman on National Security Senator Peter Bunting has scoffed at a letter from National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang accusing him of agitating on behalf of former Chairman of the Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James against the Police High Command.

 

At the recent 81st Annual Conference of the Jamaica Police Federation, Mr. Bunting raised concern that Corporal James was barred from attending the conference, declaring that he was being muzzled by the Police High Command.

 

In the letter sent to Opposition Leader Mark Golding, Dr. Chang cautioned that he should ensure that the policy and practice of separating police operations from political interference be maintained.

 

But Mr. Bunting says the claims are misplaced. 

 

"Dr. Chang tried to make my intervention at the Police Federation one about disciplinary issues of an individual, well knowing that that is not so. My intervention was about preserving independence and effectiveness of the Police Federation, and ensuring that its leadership was not subject to undue influence," he insisted. 

 

Mr. Bunting accused the government and Police High Command has been bullying representatives of public sector workers who lobby for better salaries and resources for the police force. 

 

"It has tried to intimidate, compel an end to the negotiations and to get people to sign, and it has threatened and in the case of the Federation, actually followed through on an interdiction of one of the leaders. What did he do? What was his offence? Essentially insisting that the High Command comply with an order of the court related to implementing the overtime system," asserted the opposition spokesman. 

 

He likened the actions of the High Command to union busting and intimidation.