THE EDITOR, Sir:I NEVER thought that I would be writing in defence of Senior Supt. Reneto Adams, and to criticise Dr. Carolyn Gomes, but I ask Dr. Gomes, what choice did the commissioner have but to reinstate Supt. Adams?
A principle to which I am fundamentally committed is that everyone is entitled to due process of law, and everyone is innocent until they are found guilty; and that no Jamaican citizen should ever be denied these rights. If I am to remain intellectually honest, I cannot now abandon these principles simply because it obtains a result with which I disagree.
My view of Supt. Adams is that his method of policing has been tried with varying levels of intensity in Jamaica over the past 30 years, but has resulted in abject failure as evidenced by the ever increasing crime rates from 1976 to 2005.
His tactics and his record at Braeton, Kraal, and Tivoli are self-evident. When you speak to people about Supt. Adams, there is usually no disagreement between his detractors and supporters about his methods. The only disagreement is whether or not you think his methods were justified or effective.
TRIED AND ACQUITTED
The less lethal style of policing demonstrated by the current leadership of the JCF in Operation Kingfish and the FAST team are clearly much more effective at reducing crime than the style of policing which Supt. Adams represents. So while I think Jamaica might have been better off if Supt. Adams had remained out of uniform, I can't ignore the fact that Supt. Adams was tried in a court of law and acquitted.
To anyone who claims to be committed to the rule of law, that is not an inconvenient fact to be ignored. That fact dictates the status of Supt. Adams in the eyes of the law, regardless of what one's personal feelings are.
As a creature of the law, Commissioner Thomas had no choice but to reinstate Supt. Adams. To this observer, the commissioner's delay in reinstating Supt. Adams spoke volumes to anyone who was paying attention, and his decision to directly supervise Supt. Adams should make it clear that it will not be business as usual for the Senior Superintendent.
At this critical juncture in its history, it is clear that the JCF is attempting to get its house in order. As the first effective JCF commissioner since Col. MacMillan, Commissioner Thomas certainly deserves our support for what has on balance been a good job.
For Dr. Gomes to remain credible in her search for justice for all Jamaicans, she should be seen as having an unswerving commitment to the rule of law, and not adopt positions which appear to be personality driven.
If the rule of law is to be adhered to, then Supt. Adams deserves the very same protections of the law which were denied to the Braeton 7. Dr. Gomes should recognise that Justice for Jamaicans is better protected in a society where the rule of law is adhered to, and if it is, then it becomes less important where Supt. Adams sits.
I am, etc.,
H. EDISON HUMPHRIES
edison9114@yahoo.com
Miramar, Florida
Via Go-Jamaica
