Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
2011 police pellet shooting…“I honestly felt that I was going to be killed by the police”- James bond
By Zena Henry
Attorney- at -law, Parliamentarian and member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), James Bond has joined calls to the local police force to act on the “rogue elements” that seem bent on perpetuating the agency’s negative image.
The Attorney was commenting on the state of the force as he too engaged in the ongoing discussion about the poor treatment of citizens and the apparent lack of concern associated with having these ranks disciplined.
“If the police protect their own, who will protect the people from the rotten apples?”
Bond, prior to his call, pointed to the attitude and response of the police during the 2011 protest where several persons, including himself, former army Chief of Staff Brig Eddie Collins, and other prominent public figures were shot with rubber pellets during a protest to have the local elections Commission verify Statements of Poll following the elections.
On the weekly Nation Watch television programme aired Sunday on Channel Nine, the politician said “I honestly felt that I was going to be killed by the police.” He explained that the ranks in the execution of their duties opened fire on peaceful demonstrators and shot indiscriminately at young, old and very senior members of the society.
He went on to explain that the problem in the police force is festering like an untreated cut on a leg, left to spread and infect the whole body. “Those rougue elements will spoil the whole body,” he charged. “They are criminals, worst than criminals. I have seen the horror that young men face.”
Seventy-five year-old Sarah Johnson, Joan Baveghems, 10 year-old Johnny Mattis, his father and several other persons were shot with rubber bullets when they exercised what they said was their right to demonstrate. The police contended that the political demonstrators had no permission to do so, while Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee blamed the police for poor judgment of the situation.
Bond’s back was peppered, while others received injuries to the face and other parts of the body. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Winston Felix also gave his views on what is being described as “rogue elements” in the force, and urged that the police must seriously deal with these persons acting outside of the law and outside of the rules and regulations of the organization.
The police have come under scrutiny by local stakeholders, citizens and politicians; especially on the opposition side. Several matters involving police misconduct, excess use of force and unprofessionalism have been re-surfacing as members of the police are once again in hot water for acts against citizens.
This is especially so since the recent fall out of the manslaughter case against two police ranks charged for the alleged accidental shooting of 21-year-old Dameon Belgrave– a bystander- at the White Castle Fish Shop in 2012.
Allegations are that the wrong officers were knowingly charged, while the alleged shooter was made to testify in their pre-trial case. Lack of evidence caused the ranks to walk and the force has shifted blame on the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Russian roulette shooting of 15 year-old Alex Griffith, has also brought criticisms since the rank who was positively identified by the youth, is yet to face the courts. It is alleged that the teen witnessed a robbery committed against a relative of the cop who shot the teen in the mouth.
Even Ronson Gray, who was injured during the 2003 police shooting that killed university student Yohance Douglas asked, “If the police protect their own, who will protect the people from the rotten apples?” He was calling on the public to be more vocal about Griffith’s shooting.
The killing of Agricola youth Shaquille Grant; Lindeners Shemroy Bouyea, Ron Somerset and Allan Lewis, the alleged baton sodomy of Colwyn Harding and torture of then- 15-year-old, Twyon Thomas whose private area was burnt; are just a few of the incidents resurfacing.
Minister Rohee has also had his share of criticism for failing to straighten the security sector. He has however survived a no confidence vote in Parliament. He is now the General Secretary for the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
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