By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Forbes
SPECIAL BRANCH detectives are now probing reports of a plot to kill Police Commissioner Francis Forbes.
There are also reports that since the news of the plot surfaced about three weeks ago, the 52-year-old commissioner has effected some changes to his personal security.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas not only confirmed the reports, but said the matter was being investigated.
Reports of the threats against the commissioner's life were again confirmed yesterday by Superintendent Ionie Ramsay-Nelson, head of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN). The CCN is the communications arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Deputy Commissioner Thomas who is currently on business with Commissioner Forbes in New York, declined to say much about the plot they uncovered three weeks ago.
The Gleaner has learnt that the sources of the threat are both internal and external. It is alleged that at least one senior police officer and an influential civilian have been implicated in the alleged plot.
This is the second time in four years that the commissioner has had to beef up his personal security, following threats against his life. Mr. Forbes who has been commissioner since October 1, 1996, was recently lauded by Robert Mueller, Director for the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for his role in helping with an investigation into Russian organised crime.
There are further reports that two senior officers are now under the microscope of the FBI, following a long running investigation. But up to yesterday, it could not be ascertained whether the alleged threats on the commissioner's life were linked to disciplinary action taken against a large number of police personnel in recent times.
There are reports that the relationship between the Commissioner and several policemen has worsened in the aftermath of disciplinary action taken. According to police records, over the past three years, 118 police personned have been dismissed by Commissioner Forbes for breaches of discipline. Another 170 are waiting on rulings of the relevant disciplinary bodies of the JCF.
A spokesperson at the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) said nine police personnel were arrested over the past two weeks in connection with various shooting incidents.
