(Jamaica Observer) Rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) yesterday commended the Police High Command for its apology to Digicel over the conduct of cops who participated in a raid by the tax authorities on the telecoms giant’s corporate headquarters two Fridays ago.
At the same time, the group said that it is now expecting the same courtesies to be extended to other Jamaicans where it is found that the police have acted in an unprofessional manner against them.
“I’m glad the [Police High Command] is setting the precedent of apologising when [police officers] step outside the bounds of professional policing. We look forward to see this precedent extended to ordinary citizens,” JFJ head Carolyn Gomes told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
“If you did it for one, you have to do it for all,” Gomes added.
The police’s apology to Digicel came at the end of a reported probe into the conduct of the armed police officers who, along with members of Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ), raided Digicel’s New Kingston offices on May 4 to retrieve documents after TAJ secured an order from the Supreme Court.
The raid was as a result of a tussle between Digicel and the TAJ over reported millions in unpaid General Consumption Tax. Digicel immediately obtained an injunction barring any further search of its offices. The case will come up in court on May 24.
Digicel had accused the police of using excessive force, entering its office with high-powered weapons during the raid and preventing staff from leaving the building.
The raid drew condemnation from several quarters, including the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica — two influential business sector groups.
As the pressure mounted, the Police High Command opened a probe into the action of its officers during the raid. Late Thursday night, the constabulary issued the apology for the “out of proportion” force that was deployed.
“The Police High Command wishes to apologise to the management of Digicel and the members of staff for any undue anxiety and fear caused by the presence of armed police personnel on the day in question,” said a release from the police.
“We also wish to assure the public in general, and business operators in particular, that in the future when we assist enforcement agencies we will do so in a manner that reflects understanding and does not cause undue fear and anxiety,” added the police.
Digicel immediately accepted the apology, noting in a release: “The management and staff of Digicel would like to thank the Police High Command for its apology and for conducting its investigation in a timely manner.”
The police, meanwhile, said they were not provided with details of the assignment, except for the date, time and location of the briefings which were held shortly before the operation was launched. The police said they would now demand more information from Government agencies before they deploy a team.
The Organised Crime Investigation Division, the Police High Command said, will now be the unit tasked to assist these agencies with similar operations in the future.
