Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Peter Phillips says the Government would not use its parliamentary majority to give the army police powers.
Speaking at Monday's regular post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, St. Andrew, Mr. Phillips said the matter was so sensitive that it required parliamentary consensus in order to boost the morale of the security forces.
"We think the JDF is such a national institution that on a matter like this it ought to enjoy the highest level of consensus," Mr. Phillips said. "Even though we (Government) brought the legislation before Parliament, we thought it was advisable in the circumstance not to pursue it simply on the basis of our majority in the Parliament, to force the legislation through."
Mr. Phillips added that there were instances where JDF soldiers saw men with high-powered weapons, but could not seize them because they had no powers to do so.
Nearly two years ago, the Government introduced legislation to amend Section Nine of the Defence Act.
However, the move was aborted because the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party did not support the amendment. The Opposition maintained last week it would not support giving the army police powers.
The proposal was raised recently following the recent slaying of 10-year-old Sasha-Kaye Brown, on Barnes Avenue in Kingston 13.
Her grandparents and aunt were also killed in a house that gunmen set ablaze.
However, calls for help from the little girl were ignored by nearby soldiers who said they could not respond without a police presence.
