Jamaicans for justice?

As we all know, the local news has become a bastion of monotony in recent years. Newscasts more often than not unfold like this: people protesting because of a lack of running water; roadblocks mounted by frustrated citizens over the deplorable conditions of the roads; police see a "suspicious party" during a routine patrol and accost the party, the party opens fire which the police return and one or more members are found suffering from gunshot wounds. The wounded are taken to the nearest hospital where they are pronounced dead. Citizens of the community take to the streets in outrage at the "murder" of an innocent person.

Throw in some international news and sports, blend for 60 minutes and you have a perfect newscast.

Some residents of Bull Bay ruined the recipe when they took to the streets (again) in support of three police officers charged with murdering Noel Barnes back in 1999. Their claim is that Barnes was a "terrorist" and the community is glad that he's dead. The policemen, they say, are "heroes" and should be released.

While I can understand the sentiments of the Bull Bay residents, if Barnes was in fact guilty of the charges leveled against him, the fact remains that we can't pick and choose who we want policemen to kill. We can't demonstrate because one victim of the police is an "area leader" and then rejoice when another is an alleged criminal. Murder is murder. Acceptance of one extra judicial killing, if this is what the Barnes case turns out to be, is an acceptance of all extra judicial killings. Our justice system, as fucked up as it is, is still a far sight better at determining guilt or innocence than a group of policemen who are out to eradicate a menace, whether perceived or real. I don't care if the policemen catch someone in the act - unless someone's life is in direct jeopardy then all efforts should be made to arrest the culprit and bring him to justice. Who reviews the evidence the long rumoured police hit squads use to determine who lives and who dies? Jamaicans need to wake up and realize that they could very easily be a victim of an extra judicial killing and vigorously support the prosecution and conviction of any policeman who unlawfully kills any member of our society.

Policemen will complain about being frustrated and at the end of their ropes because people they arrest repeatedly are set free by the courts, often for lack of evidence. My response? Do your fucking jobs properly! I know that resources are limited, but it used to amaze me to watch the news and see all and sundry walking through crime scenes, or see policemen displaying recovered guns to television crews minutes after a raid with nary a latex glove or evidence bag in sight. I'm glad that someone in the JCF finally watched CSI and realized that the proper processing of crime scenes is crucial to ensure the conviction of suspects and is much more effective than swooping into a community, rounding up suspects and then trying to beat a confession out of them.

Residents of Bull Bay, be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.