By Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter 
Forbes (left) and Adams (right)
SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT Reneto Adams, former head of the disbanded Crime Management Unit (CMU), is now fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court to get orders to restrain Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes from removing him from front-line duties and from dismantling the CMU.
SSP Adams filed a motion in the Supreme Court yesterday outlining several reasons why he should be returned to active front-line duty.
One of his concerns, outlined in his claim, is that the dismantling of the CMU so soon after the shoot-out at Kraal, Clarendon, and during the ongoing investigation "will or may result in rank prejudice to me, particular in regard to any judicial proceedings which may arise therefrom."
Four persons, including two women, were fatally shot on May 7 at Kraal, north central Clarendon, during an alleged shoot-out with members of the CMU. The investigations are being conducted by the local police with assistance from the British-based Scotland Yard.
Adams' ex parte application went before Mr. Justice Horace Marsh in chambers but was put off after his lawyers Oswest Senior-Smith and Antoinca Coore, applied for an adjournment. Mr. Senior-Smith told The Gleaner yesterday that it was likely that Adams' application will be heard on Monday.
The reaction from the public has been mixed since news broke this week that the senior superintendent was re-assigned to a desk job at Mobile Reserve, Harman Barracks, Up Park Camp.
Some members of the public, human rights groups and the Parliamentary opposition, have welcomed the dismantling of the CMU based on the controversy surrounding it, especially as it relates to fatal shootings. Others have been calling for the return of the CMU, headed by Adams.
The SSP has stated in his claim that he is seeking an interim order to restrain the Commissioner of Police from removing him from operational 'front-line duty' and relegating him to deskbound administrative assignments. He is seeking an order to restrain Mr. Forbes from dismantling the CMU. He is contending that his removal from front-line duties and his re-assignment amount to disciplinary action which can only be arrived at after due process involving the Police Services Commission.
"The decision to relegate me to deskbound duties will have grave implications for my advancement in the police force and will adversely impact my prospects for promotion", Adams is claiming.
He pointed out in his affidavit, in support of his claim, that he has 35 years of service in the police force, the last 30 of which he has spent engaged "on the front-line in the streets". He also referred to the large number of medals and commendations he received which he said attest to his "prowess" as a policeman.
A management team has been set up to oversee the Kraal investigations into the deaths of the four persons. Chaired by Commissioner Forbes, the team includes Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair.
Sir John Stevens, Commissioner of the British Metropolitan Police, on Wednesday, urged police investigators into the controversial shootings to leave no stone unturned and to report fairly on the findings.
Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, disclosed this week that his reason for requesting the expertise of the British-based police team was to reassure the public that there would be "no cover up" in the investigations.
has been mixed since news broke this week that the Senior Superintendent was re-assigned to a desk job at Mobile Reserve, Harman Barracks, Up Park Camp.
Some members of the public, human rights groups and the Parliamentary opposition, have welcomed the dismantling of the CMU based on the controversy surrounding it, especially as it relates to fatal shootings. Others have been calling for the return of the CMU, headed by Adams.
The SSP has stated in his claim that he is seeking an interim order to restrain the Commissioner of Police from removing him from operational 'front-line duty' and relegating him to deskbound administrative assignments. He is seeking an order to restrain Mr. Forbes from dismantling the CMU. He is contending that his removal from front-line duties and his re-assignment amount to disciplinary action which can only be arrived at after due process involving the Police Services Commission.
"The decision to relegate me to deskbound duties will have grave implications for my advancement in the police force and will adversely impact my prospects for promotion", Adams is claiming.
He pointed out in his affidavit, in support of his claim, that he has 35 years of service in the police force, the last 30 of which he has spent engaged "on the front-line in the streets". He also referred to the large number of medals and commendations he received which he said attest to his "prowess" as a policeman.
