Improper investigations, Gov't inefficiencies stall death payments WESTERN BUREAU: CHAIRMAN OF the Police Federation Inspector Merrick Watson has chastised those police officers whose improper investigations contribute to the delay in the payments of death benefits to relatives of slain policemen. He told an audience of security officials at the 58th Annual Conference in Montego Bay Tuesday, that the Prime Minister's task force discovered that in a few cases, police officers were found to be responsible for the delay in processing the payment of death benefits. "I join the Minister in crying shame on those of our members who failed to properly investigate the deaths of their colleagues and by so doing contributed to the prolonged distress that their families have faced," Inspector Watson said. However, he pointed out that an overwhelming 87 per cent of the cases were found to be as a direct result of government inefficiencies. "Of the more than 30 cases investigated so far, only four or 13.33 per cent were found to have been held up as a result of police inefficiency," he declared. "I am calling on the government to ensure that all persons in its employ do what has to be done in order to effect prompt settlement of death benefit payments when these become due." In the meantime, 1000 sets of ballistic helmets and bulletproof vests are expected in the island soon, Inspector Watson revealed. "...the life of every single policeman is important. And when a nation and a govt. employs policemen to confront and contain the ferocious criminals that have been spawned in this country, the least we deserve is the appropriate tools for the job," he said. According to him, government has agreed to import 500 sets of helmets and vests every year commencing 2002. This, he said, will not only allow for standard issue for all recruits graduating from the Police Academy, but it will gradually plug the shortfall for the rest of the force. Inspector Watson also called for a national consensus on solutions to crime and violence. "Our elected leaders (need) to recognise the co-relationship between unemployment, lack of employment opportunities and illegal activities," he said.
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