Ja: Ignorance of citizens was an excuse for police brutality

THE POLICE High Command intends to introduce contents of the Code of Conduct for Police and Citizens into the syllabus of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
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The move is reportedly aimed at familiarising police personnel ­ often buffeted by charges of human rights abuses and excesses from international and human rights groups - with the rights of citizens.

Sergeant David White, chairman of the Police Federation, supported the move. "The police must now understand that the people are now aware of their rights as citizens, therefore, it must be respected," he said.

I'm a bit at a loss for words here. Why is the Code of Conduct for Police and Citizens only now being introduced into the syllabus for police recruits? Before this, were Jamaican police officers operating by guess and make it up as you go along?

What do the Police High Command and Sgt. White really want people to believe? Does the Police High Command in Jamaica not teach police recruits that citizens have rights that should be respected whether or not those citizens are cognizant of those rights?

Do the PHC and Sgt White really believe that the ignorance of the citizenry is justification for police brutality? How else is White's statement, "the people are now aware of their rights as citizens, therefore, it must be respected" to be interpreted? When the people didn't know their rights, the police were free to show them what the hell the police can do. Now that the people do know their rights the police can't beat the living daylights out of them because the people can now say, "I know my rights and you can't beat me"?

According to White, chairman of the Police Federation, only "now" must the police understand this. Somebody must be sucking on a serious spliff in the Police High Command in Jamaica. It's not how the thing is said, but it's what is said that is damning.