Press frat slams police actions

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has condemned the actions of a policeman who had a confrontation with a CVM TV correspondent who attempted to film the scene of an alleged police killing in St Ann on Saturday.

Thirty-one-year-old shopkeeper Donovan Pottinger, otherwise called 'Zabo', was killed.

The correspondent was attempting to film, from beyond a police cordon, when he was told to turn off the camera. The correspondent, who did not comply, received an injury to his hand, as well as a damage to his camera, as the police attempted to seize it.

He was also detained and released.

The PAJ described the cop's behaviour as "atrocious".

"We are astounded that a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force could so blatantly attack a journalist while carrying out his legitimate duties," said Byron Buckley, president of the PAJ, in a press statement yesterday.

"The PAJ is acutely disappointed that the police continue to harass journalists in this manner, despite the Police High Command agreeing with the association more than a year ago to promulgate rules of engagement," he added.

The PAJ has called on Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington to investigate the attack on the journalist on Saturday and to take appropriate disciplinary action.

President of the Media Association Jamaica (MAJ), Gary Allen, also criticised the cop's action.

He said MAJ was in support of ridding all behaviour that impinged on journalists' rights to carry out their lawful duties.