Gov't senator urges Jamaicans to wear blue in support of police amid planned JFJ protest

 

With human rights lobbyists preparing to take to the streets on Tuesday to denounce police impunity, Government Senator Marlon Morgan has come out in support of law enforcement.

 

Senator Morgan is calling for the public to wear blue Tuesday to stand in solidarity with the police in what appears to be a counter to the planned protest by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).

 

Noting the 36.6 per cent reduction in murders up to April 26 this year, when compared with the corresponding period last year, Senator Morgan contends that the planned protest seeks to undermine the efforts and gains of law enforcement.

 

"There can be no denying that our police men and women work under very tough and trying circumstances. The efforts and energies of all well-thinking and law-abiding Jamaicans should be focused on supporting and encouraging our hard-working police men and women, not tearing them down. It is quite heartening and should not be overlooked that a culture of accountability is increasingly being fostered by the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] and professionalism is being prioritised through ongoing human rights training and sensitisation," he argued. 

 

Government Senator Marlon Morgan added that there are greater mechanisms to hold the police to account with the establishment of the Independent Commission of Investigations and other state entities, as well as other internal administrative protocols.

 

The JFJ-led protest, dubbed End Police Violence, will take place at the Half Way Transport Centre and aims to spotlight the increasing number of police fatal shootings in Jamaica and demand accountability, justice and systemic reform. 

 

As of April 28, 106 people have been killed in reported confrontations with the police.