WESTERN BUREAU:
FOLLOWING THROUGH on his commitment to rid the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) of corrupt policemen, Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas has requested that three additional cops be retired in the interest of the public.
Reports are that the commissioner has asked the Police Services Commission (PSC), a civilian oversight body, to relieve three narcotics policemen of their duties. This action brings to 11, the total number of policemen being asked to be relieved of their duties.
Last December, attorney-at-law Arthur Kitchin filed a motion to repeal the commission's recommendation for the retirement of eight members of the JCF, made up of sergeants, corporals and constables.
Mr. Kitchin, who is also representing the latest group, told The Gleaner yesterday that his team was deciding on the next course of legal action.
"We have not filed the court papers, so I am not at liberty to discuss the matter in detail," said the lawyer, declining to disclose where the three policemen were based.
MOVE TO QUASH DECISION
Earlier reports are that the first group of cops who was asked to retire, one of whom is a woman, has been accused of involvement in illegal activities. They are seeking an order to quash the decisions of the commission.
The officers contend that the commission's orders were unlawful and in breach of Section 26 of the Police Service Regulations and the constitution. They claim that they were never given a hearing.
The cops, who were first attached to the Montego Bay, St. James area before they were transferred to Kingston, Manchester and St. Mary, have secured a stay of execution from the Supreme Court until February 8, when their defence is expected to be heard.
