Gunmen should not be part of society – Nelson
Saturday, 23 May 2009
National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson has declared that persons with illegal guns threaten the country and should be removed from society.
The Minister, who made the comment at a special Media Forum on Crime, Violence and Security, said gunmen who threaten the lives of law abiding Jamaicans have forfeited their right to live among law abiding citizens.
"I believe, and I'm a convict to the position that if a person has an illegal gun with the intent of killing, with the intent of threatening the lives and property of decent law abiding citizens, then that person has forfeited his or her right to live among decent citizens," said Mr. Nelson.
Encouraging police to take lethal action - JFJ
This statement has raised red flags for human rights group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).
According to David Wong-Ken, former JFJ Executive Director, Senator Nelson's statement sends the wrong message to the members of the police force.
"This statement is unfortunate because it seems to be encouraging policemen and women to take the matter of justice into their own hands. The police are not entitled to use lethal force unless their own lives and the lives of fellow citizens are in danger.
"If the danger has past, no matter whether there's a determination of an illegal weapon or not, once they perceive that the danger has past, they're not entitled to use lethal force," said Mr. Wong-Ken.
Business group backs plans for reserve unit
In the meantime, a plan by the National Security Minister to establish a police-civilian reserve unit has found favour with Winston Lawson, Head of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Lawson says the reserve unit will help deal effectively with the levels of crime in Jamaica.
"There is so much for the police to do when some of that can be done by civilians while the expertise of the police could be used in other areas," he said.
On May 10, Senator Nelson announced plan to set up a police-civilian reserve unit similar to the army reserves of the Jamaica Defence Force.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson has declared that persons with illegal guns threaten the country and should be removed from society.
The Minister, who made the comment at a special Media Forum on Crime, Violence and Security, said gunmen who threaten the lives of law abiding Jamaicans have forfeited their right to live among law abiding citizens.
"I believe, and I'm a convict to the position that if a person has an illegal gun with the intent of killing, with the intent of threatening the lives and property of decent law abiding citizens, then that person has forfeited his or her right to live among decent citizens," said Mr. Nelson.
Encouraging police to take lethal action - JFJ
This statement has raised red flags for human rights group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).
According to David Wong-Ken, former JFJ Executive Director, Senator Nelson's statement sends the wrong message to the members of the police force.
"This statement is unfortunate because it seems to be encouraging policemen and women to take the matter of justice into their own hands. The police are not entitled to use lethal force unless their own lives and the lives of fellow citizens are in danger.
"If the danger has past, no matter whether there's a determination of an illegal weapon or not, once they perceive that the danger has past, they're not entitled to use lethal force," said Mr. Wong-Ken.
Business group backs plans for reserve unit
In the meantime, a plan by the National Security Minister to establish a police-civilian reserve unit has found favour with Winston Lawson, Head of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Lawson says the reserve unit will help deal effectively with the levels of crime in Jamaica.
"There is so much for the police to do when some of that can be done by civilians while the expertise of the police could be used in other areas," he said.
On May 10, Senator Nelson announced plan to set up a police-civilian reserve unit similar to the army reserves of the Jamaica Defence Force.

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