Private sector group in Jamaica calls on Police Commissioner for information on “suspected” police death squad

The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) is concerned at the silence of Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson following the murder conviction of a police constable,  reported to have been a member of a so-called police death squad.

Constable Collis ‘Chucky’ Brown, was found guilty on all charges including three counts of murder, conspiracy to murder, and wounding with intent, at the Supreme Court last week Thursday.

“The evidence presented asserted this practice occurred with the knowledge and support of senior officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The PSOJ accepts that the JCF High Command must be minded not to prejudice similar criminal trials concerning other police officers which will commence imminently, but we are concerned that there has been no public comment by the commissioner of police,” PSOJ said in a statement.

Human rights abuses

It said the trial of the police officer was a matter of great public interest, and that the allegations of police teams systematically acting on the instructions of senior police officers to target and kill individuals has the gravest consequences for the public’s trust and confidence in the JCF as well as highlighting large-scale human rights abuses.

Reassure Jamaicans

PSOJ said it was urging the Commissioner to make a statement in a bid to reassure the citizens of Jamaica that the aforementioned unlawful practice has ceased.

“What measures have been put in place to ensure that it never happens again? And what internal measures have been taken to investigate the evidence from Brown’s trial to identify and investigate any serving police officers or those who may have since left the service?” PSOJ questioned.