Oppression from Jamaican Police

I met a man from Jamaica who was deeply concerned for the people in his town. He alleged that his town was under a police state, and that the police were not there to protect them, but to control them. He claims extensive abuse by the police, including murder, and pleaded for help. In order to protect this person, since his life would be endangered, he will remain anonymous. Here is my interview with him.

How long have you lived in Ocho Rios, and what section are you from?

I reside in Ocho Rios for the pass 18 years, I was born in the parish of St.Catherine

In this area are the people there considered poor and how are living conditions?

Some of the areas you have first class and second class citizen and the ambitious kind of people who's looking a way out for them self

How do the people there make a living?

Some sell craft, some performed and entertained and work as staff in the hotels

Do you feel your living in a police state where the police are there to control the people?

law and order o to be a must in every country and continent around the world but from the looks of things here its the police that control the country (Jamaica)

Has it always been this way?

From I was born and have acknowledgment of the justice system it is always like this and never will change unless international authorities take it up in hand

Is it the same throughout Jamaica?

Yes but some place make it bad for some, cause you have so call gangsters and thugs who think they're above the law that carries out the same treacherous act of no respect for human life here, but you know something we blame it on the political corruptions that plague our society

What are some of the crimes done by police against the people of your town?

First thing if they ask you where are you from and you answered and said "Fork land exchange, Pineapple, Street Town, or St.Ann's Bay" you're in for the most disrespectful treatments ever. For instance, dragged to the station, detained wrongfully, verbally abuse, and physical abuse, and terrorize, worse if you wasn't born in the parish (Ocho Rios St.Ann) they would kick your door open and kill and plant a firearm on the crime scene.

A couple a years ago (3) three young men went to rob a jewel stores and was accosted by the law men when the building was surrounded by officers of the law,the young men drop their weapons and came out with their hands on their head and (2) two well known police of the Ocho Rios police station put the (3) three young men on their knees and shot them dead execution style in front of more than 1,500 on lookers, and one man caught it on a camcorder and I tried to reach the camera man so I could buy it and publish it worldwide on the net, but the police ran him down (camera man) and took the camcorder away and mash it up. They've done more than enough

You allege that on September 23, 2008 the police shot a 13 year old boy in the forehead at close range, what is this boys name, and why did theydo this?What did they do with his body, and was this kept quiet?

On the news that evening like every other time the police state that it was a shoot out and guys ran and the young men was found suffering from gunshot wound,but the citizen said that he was killed in cold blood cause he was shot at a very close range, I don't remember the kids name but you could go to here and look for the date and maybe just maybe you will see the whole story.

(authors note: I searched for this story on the link provided but was unable to locate it)

You feel the police are getting away with murder?

All the time sir/madam in all my life born and raise in Jamaica, have never see or heard of a police being charge for crimes committed by them, the least the higher authorities does is take them off front line duty, and when they're back up front they get promoted to higher ranks.

Do you have names of other murdered people from your town that the police killed?(and how were they murdered)

Honestly I would of to go and draft up all these things and let you know cause work like these take times and intelligence cause it might cause me my life, you know! but i don't believe in dying I believe in life, so I'll keep you posted OK.

Why doesn't the Government do anything about it?

Ha! the government are they any different from those terrorist in uniform, NO!! Most of these thing that took place been going on before I was born so why the government didn't try and stop it from them time? I always think the asset of this country belongs to its people and not the government, but instead its the other way around.

Are vacationers to Jamaica in any danger?

No, rarely when you hear of a visitor been rob or assault very rare, the so called gang and thugs here prey on who they know same goes for the police, they've better sense than that think they're stupid, they know that here would be covered with navy seal and the marines.

Do the people of your town feel helpless, and afraid to do anything?

They are like see and blind, hear and deaf that's their policy, they rather to grumble to them self!!

When the public reads about what is going on there, what can they do to help?

Well there and then when they see that people from all walks of life is hitting out and all these things then i know alot of them will make a stance.

So, there you have it. I believe this is happening to these people. I shall distribute this link to Humane Organizations in hope that someone will be able to investigate these accusations furthur.

Source: Email from annonymus concerned citizen from Jamaica
Link provided: www.jamaicastar.com