1997 file picture of Dr. Peter Phillips.The following are excerpts from Go-Jamaica's Online Chat with the new Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips, held at 7 North Street, Kingston, on November 15. The questions were posed from persons on-line via e-mail. The moderator was the managing director of Gleaner Online, Marlene Davis.
Moderator: The level of crime and criminal activities as it now stands is totally unacceptable. What machinery does the Government have or will now implement to combat this?
Dr. P.: I agree that the level of crime must be reduced we shall have to undertake an effective programme of modernisation for our security forces and we shall have to mount community programmes to provide opportunities for people who get drawn into criminal activities and change their attitudes and values.
Moderator: Can you tell us what you plan to do about our ports?
Dr. P.: We are going to implement more stringent controls of access to the ports and we are going to have to use new technology to inspect all the goods passing through the ports.
E-mail: What exactly are the Jamaican Government/justice authorities doing to stop criminal deportees from returning to Jamaica. I find it absolutely appalling that an individual can emigrate as a child, become a criminal under a foreign regime and be returned to a country by virtue of birth. To migrate to a foreign country mainly the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, an individual must be free of a criminal record and possess other qualities that would deemed them desirable citizens, don't you think the requirements to accept them back in Jamaica should be similar if not the same?
Dr. P.: Your questions about deportees are valid and timely. These issues have been raised with the deporting countries. Obviously, circumstances differ widely from case to case. Nevertheless, many of these people who are returned by the overseas authorities indeed have tenuous connection (if any at all), to Jamaica. Despite this, Jamaica has an obligation under international law to accept people who are citizens of the country. We will, however, continue our diplomatic efforts to ensure greater equity in relation to this issue.
Moderator: What about the general indiscipline in the police force? We as Jamaicans also contribute to it. For example I have paid more money to the police for traffic violations than I have paid the Government.
Dr. P.: You are totally correct that each one of us has to stand up against such indiscipline. If any policeman approaches you, you should take steps to report them to the Police Public Complaints Authority or to the Office of Professional Responsibility. Equally I agree with your proposition that we need to make a compressive assault on indiscipline in all aspects of our national life.
E-mail: My name is Dr. George Shippey and my wife and I are from England and my parents are Jamaican. I would like to find out how you will make a difference to the level of crime and the perceptions of Jamaica? My wife visited Jamaica and was scared because of the level of crime in Jamaica. I would like to live and work in Jamaica but I am also concerned at the level of returnees who are targeted by criminals.
Dr. P.: We are undertaking an extensive modernisation programme of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. The effectiveness and quality of the security forces will determine ultimately the nature of the perception people have of crime in Jamaica. I would encourage you to come home. Most communities are quite safe.
E-mail: What are you going to do about the corrupt police force?
Dr. P.: I still believe that there is a majority of hard-working and committed policemen and women in the JCF. At the same time we need to strengthen the powers of the Police Services Commission and the other disciplinary authorities so that they can investigate an act independently to weed out corrupt personnel.
Moderator: Why is it that when you are making political speeches, you show that HATE and ENVY for Mr. Seaga?
Dr. P.: I do not know which political speech you are speaking about and how it evinced hate or envy of anyone. Certainly I do not hate or envy Mr. Seaga, but I have tried to be true to the historical record of various political personalities. Thankfully, we live in a democracy where different views can be expressed freely.
Moderator: What can be done to stop the shipping of guns in the island?
Dr. P. : This is a major priority. We are going to have more effective patrols of our coastline and we are going to have to put tighter controls around our ports. Equally we have to do more effective intelligence work to identify and apprehend culprits. We recently saw some evidence of this in the capture of 40,000 rounds of ammunition.
E-mail: If the Government is serious about fighting crime, why not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate white-collar crime? Also are members of parliament above the law? If not, then why is it that no one investigates those who are suspected in collaborating with the criminal elements that are destroying our great island nation? Is there a law that allows the court to confiscate assets acquired with money coming from drug, firearms and any other illegal means? If not, why not? Is the JDF incapable of protecting our shores?
E-mail: What is Government doing to protect the people of Jamaica? I am here in New York and the picture we see here is that Jamaica is an island totally out of control.
Dr. P.: No one in Jamaica is above the law. Members of Parliament and members of the private sector suspected of collaborating with criminal elements are subject to investigation and prosecution. Jamaica has anti-money laundering legislation in place, and like many other jurisdictions, has recently been paying especially careful attention to the application of these laws. The Jamaica Defence Force is not incapable of protecting our shores. However, they need equipment, and we are working to acquire the necessary tools to allow them to do the job effectively.
Moderator: Why is it that the Government is not yet acquiring high-powered weapons and armoured vehicles, to counteract the criminals and their activities?
Dr. P.: The security forces are in fact in possession of high powered weapons and armoured vehicles. But force alone will not be able to defeat the threat which we face. We will also need to develop a clear national consensus and an understanding on the part of every citizen that we must isolate the criminals from among our midst in all our communities.
Moderator: What about the impact of political warfare on the 1,000-plus people murdered since the start of the year?
Dr. P.: No doubt some of the criminals involved in the gun violence have different and divergent political affiliations. And political motive may have been at the root of some confrontations but the accumulation of weaponry that we are seeing in the country in criminal hands is due largely to the trade in illegal narcotics. Some of the criminal groups in Jamaica will try to manipulate the political institutions including the parties for their own benefits. It is absolutely important that political parties explicitly reject any association with these criminal elements.
Moderator: Why don't we have the guts to catch indisciplined demonstrators on tape and charge them in the court of law?
Dr. P.: You have proposed a useful suggestion. The police do in fact tape some demonstrations. We shall have to look into your suggestion further.
Moderator: What about the deportees, just like the United States, I think Jamaica should implement some sort of rehabilitation programme for those who are deported, because when they come to Jamaica they are among those who become area leaders/dons and criminals.
Dr. P.: We have many rehabilitation programmes in our prisons and penal institutions. We would in fact like to expand these despite the limited resources which we have. Part of the problem we face is that many of the deportees have had very little association with Jamaica and yet in spite of this lack of association they have been sent to Jamaica from richer countries who can manage to finance the programmes of which you speak. This is their strategy to transfer their crime problem.
Moderator: There is speculation that the Government may resort to calling State of Emergency, how true is that?
Dr. P.: We have no intention to call a State of Emergency.
E-mail: Having taken up the responsibility for National Security, what steps will be taken to ensure that the police and the general public will have a better relationship?
Dr. P.: The police and the general public need to have a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. The public must be encouraged to support the police in their good work and to use the proper channels when there is inadequate work done by them. Overall, public confidence will develop along with the perceived professionalism of the force.
E-mail: Seeing what happened in America recently, what steps will be taken by you to make Jamaica's air and seaports as safe as possible?
Dr. P.: Security has been upgraded at Jamaica's air and seaports to guard against any such eventuality as took place in America in September.
E-mail: Is there an e-mail address where the public can send suggestions to the minister?
Dr. P.: Yes, it is: minister@mnsj.gov.jm
Moderator: Will the death penalty be enforced any time soon?
Dr. P.: The problem has been with the disposition of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom who have taken an explicitly ideological position against the death penalty. I, like you, agree that the laws of the country should be upheld and that no court should contrive to defy the legitimate wishes of an electorate.
E-mail: What is it that you will do different from K.D. Knight to alleviate the crime situation in Jamaica?
Dr. P. P.: Minister Knight made important gains in modernising the Jamaica Constabulary Force with new and better equipment and by encouraging police professionalism and morale. He also made important strides in law reform, including such things as the Bail Act, establishing the Night Courts and Drug Courts, the Marriage Property Act, and other human rights legislation. I will build on that platform by working for greater modernisation and professionalism in the Force. I have begun my efforts by attempting to encourage a debate and discussion geared towards establishing a national consensus about crime and violence. This will lead to a clear National Defence and Crime Control Plan that is accepted by all as in the interest of the country.
Moderator: I try to read the Internet newspapers every day. I must say it is frightening to see all that is happening. Do you think the results of the inquiry into the violence which took place in July will make any difference since the JLP lawyers walked out? I was really hoping this would have helped.
Dr. P.: We will have to wait to see the conclusion of the Commission after it has heard all the evidence that has been placed before it. I think it most unfortunate that anyone or any segment of our society should refuse to contribute to this very important process. I still hope that good sense will prevail and this will not prove to be yet one another source of division in a country that is already too divided.
Moderator: Do you approve of political leaders who go to the funerals of "dons"?
Dr. P.: This issue has generated much debate in recent time. I believe every person- sinner or righteous, deserves a proper funeral. At the same time, I have become increasing conscious of the symbolic importance attached to the presence of political leadership at the funeral of a don. It places an obligation on them to be extra careful as to how they exercise their influence. My own experience has been very instructive to me in this regard.
E-mail: My name is Babet and I want to know what is happening in Jamaica right now because I would like to come visit this Christmas?
Dr. P.: You are very welcome to come home at Christmas and enjoy the company of your family and friends. Despite our challenges, Jamaica is still a beautiful place with many, many good people. In terms of security most of the island is enviably safe, and we are working very hard to make that true of all of the island. Come and enjoy Jamaica.
Moderator: Now that you have changed ministries, what will happen to the promises you made to the Eastwood Park Gardens residents re commercialisation of the community? Some businesses are definitely adding to the crime problem in the area. More businesses are poised to open their doors in what is zoned as residential community. Please help!
Dr. P.: I made a commitment regarding a resolution in Parliament which could possibly lead to some necessary amendments to the law. I proposed to do this in next week or so. At the same time, the citizens' association along with myself could probably grasp the opportunity to take the matter up with the new Minister of Land and Environment.
