Damion Mitchell | Frozen in time, Commissioner? Dat mek sense?

When Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson holds his press conference today, it will make one year to the day since he publicly promised to respond to a set of questions that sought to probe institutional problems we hear little about in the constabulary he leads. 

Here are the questions I posed to General Anderson on February 1, 2021: 

1. Can the High Command provide an update on the number of cold cases now on record and how many are being actively pursued? 

2. How many cops will not be re-enlisted as a consequence of their performance assessment?  

3. How concerned are you about the slow pace of concluding internal investigations into alleged inappropriate conduct by your members? 

4. Can you provide an update on these specific cases that were the subject of internal probes? 

• December 2016 - Fourteen-year-old Portmore rape victim transported in the same police car as her alleged offender, who later escaped at the station.
   
• May 2020 - Mandeville corporal in station brawl with woman inspector. 
   
• October 2020 - Woman turned away from the Constant Spring Police Station after arriving during curfew hours to report an incident of domestic violence. 

At that press conference a year ago, the commissioner directed that the questions be sent via email through his communications team and committed to respond. 

The email was sent that very day, Monday, February 1, 2021. 

After a four-month wait and with no response forthcoming, on June 17, 2021, another email was sent to the communications team. 

By the following day, the request was acknowledged by Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, who replied saying she will seek to assist as best as possible. 

She noted that even though persons external to the organisation may have an interest in the outcome of an internal investigation, the High Command may not be able to comment on them publicly because they may become the subject of an internal tribunal. 

Nonetheless, SSP Lindsay sought to assure that I would be further updated on my requests. 

Fast-forward to September 15, 2021, when the commissioner called another press conference. 

When it was time for questions, I posed the same ones, by then all of seven months and two weeks old, and handed off a healthy nudge that it was about time that the elephant be delivered since all the 'documentation' had been 'filed'. 

It appeared that General Anderson did not even require the nudge. 

“I remember,” he interjected, promising that he would respond. 

But five months later, not even one word of the promise has been fulfilled. 

And it is ironic, because in that September press conference, Anderson was clearly upset that on numerous occasions, people had been leading conversations without information. 

But he made it clear that he found solace in the wisdom of the Jamaica people. 

“I have an abiding faith in the Jamaican people and their ability to reason and they know what looks reasonable and what don't mek sense,” he said. 

With due respect, Commissioner, this yearlong wait for your answers also does not mek sense. 

You see, it is an undeniable fact that the Jamaica Constabulary Force has good cops, daily on the grind to hunt criminals, change communities, and improve lives. 

But there are also those who seek to sully the work of your stars. Then, there is an administration that you lead as chief constable which must hold them to account.  

And the public, including the media, has every right to keep a check on you, especially when you publicly commit to investigating and reporting on your findings. Fulfilling your public commitments is what helps to build confidence in the system, Commissioner. 

For some individuals, the cycle of violence and the need to stop the flow of guns may be bigger issues on which the spotlight needs to remain. But for the individuals burnt by injustice, the weight of an entire system takes up residence on their shoulders, like the little girl who was raped and then allegedly transported in the same police vehicle as her alleged attacker. 

Her family deserves to know whatever happened to the cops who put her through that trauma on the damning December day of 2016. 

And while you are at it, spare a thought for the victim of domestic violence turned away from the Constant Spring station who is still waiting for a callback on the progress of her case. 

Damion Mitchell is the Integration Editor at The Gleaner. Email damion.mitchell@gleanerjm.com