THE EDITOR, Sir:HALF-WAY TREE Police Station should be the norm for police service in this country, and perhaps one day it will be. I commend policemen at that station for the manner in which they dealt with a case with which I was associated on Wednesday May 22, 2002. I also commend the leadership at the station for evidently upholding professional standards of policemen and women in their relationships with the public.
Policemen from the Half-Way Tree Police Station arrested a young man at his home early on Wednesday morning. The young man lives in what is considered a volatile community, and the police treated him with no-nonsense firmness but with respect for his humanity. They made it clear that this was an allegation not a condemnation, and helped to persuade the family that the arrest was part of a process that could show the young man's guilt or innocence. They allowed the young man to leave his home with a measure of dignity. Police from another police station, who were present that morning, were less concerned with civilities, and verbally abused members of the young man's household.
I saw for myself how the policemen and women at Half-Way Tree Police Station treated the young man's family that morning when the family wanted to check on the whereabouts and welfare of their relative. I also saw the police give meaning to their pledge to 'reassure' when the young man's mother sought bail for her son. Once the bail terms were agreed on, the most senior officers then at the station intervened to ensure that the young man left the lock-up the same evening.
I was not surprised to learn that Superintendent Rosie McDonald Barker, known for effective policing with respect for human rights, is presently the officer in charge of the Half-Way Tree police station.
I am etc.,
YVONNE McCALLA SOBERS
asante@colis.com
Chairman
Families Against State Terrorism
Via Go-Jamaica
