The Editor, Sir:

This concerns the sentencing of Detective Constable Lyn-Sue, who recently confessed to fabricating evidence against an accused. I am disappointed that a custodial sentence was imposed on Lyn-Sue by the presiding judge.

While it is important for the judge to send a signal that behaviour of this sort is reprehensible and will not be tolerated, by ordering a custodial sentence, the judge has also indicated that there is no benefit to genuine repentance and restitution. It should be remembered that Constable Lyn-Sue recanted during the trial and so prevented an unjust result in the trial of the accused.

It should also be remembered that he was subjected to ridicule and disdainful regard by some of his colleagues who, by their behaviour, signalled that they had no intention of repudiating the dishonesty and unjust practices of some of their fellow law enforcement officers. These individuals will now be able to sneer and subject him to even greater ridicule while upholding the unjust actions of their corrupt colleagues.

Injustice

In our zeal to express our righteous indignation we have, in my opinion, committed an injustice and eliminated an opportunity to encourage reform in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and indeed the wider public sector.

I sincerely hope that in the future we will develop and implement policy that will allow for incentives to individuals who wish to make restitution for corrupt and unjust practices and, in the interim, that some of our judges will be more measured in their treatment of convicted individuals in the face of extenuating circumstances.

I am, etc,

CHARLES CLAYTON

chadanworth@yahoo.com

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica