Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterTHE INSPECTOR of police at the August Town Police Station has been transferred following threats on his life, allegations of political bias and a march on the station last Thursday after a shooting in the area.
Head of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) Superintendent A.J. Forbes confirmed yesterday that Inspector Joselyn Barker had been replaced by Inspector Charles Lewis who had been working within the same St. Andrew Central Division in which August Town is located.
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for East St. Andrew St. Aubyn Bartlett charged that the transfer was politically-motivated.
"The police must be allowed to do their jobs," Mr. Bartlett said. "They shouldn't be prevented from carrying out their normal functions."
According to reports, last week a group of persons, said to be supporters of the People's National Party (PNP) went to the station, threatening the life of, and using expletives to the Inspector.
Superintendent Rosie McDonald of the St. Andrew Central police said that the Inspector reported that a crowd had gathered at the station. Asked to explain why Inspector Barker was removed, she said that the transfer was an administrative procedure and was dealt with as such.
"There's a process as it relates to transfers in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and that process has taken place," she said. "Any commander who is in charge of a station, like myself, in my own judgement if I feel to transfer somebody I will." She added: "As far as expletives go, I don't know, I was not there."
East St. Andrew Member of Parliament Colin Campbell who was a witness to the events said there was no march on the station. "There were shootings last Wednesday and prior to that there was one about two months ago," he said. "While I was there I saw Mr. Ken Wilson (who deals with community/police relations) and about 12 youngsters who went to the station to speak to the Inspector."
He said that he was outside talking to other people, after which he entered the station and heard the group making a number of charges against the Inspector. "There were charges of being biased, of behaving politically, accepting bribes and I heard him cursing bad words to them," Minister Campbell said. "When they were all finished, I said I would discuss the matter with the superintendent."
He said that he discussed the matter with the Superintendent and the Assistant Commis-sioner and was told by citizens some nights ago, that they were introduced to a new inspector.
"I know there have been several visits to the area, several meetings have been held, I was not so advised, but I heard that they went to a committee meeting and they were introduced to a new inspector," he said.
Supt. Forbes acknowledged that the Inspector was transferred, but he said that this could have been for his own safety, as Inspector Barker had said he had received threats on his life.
