Beat down Babylon

By Gordon Robinson

Many Jamaican police act as if they think they're invulnerable; as if normal rules don't apply to them.

Lest we forget: On March 20, 2012, 16-year-old Immaculate Conception High School student Vanessa Kirkland and five other people in a Suzuki Swift motor car on Norman Road were approached by policemen. Residents say explosions were heard shortly after.

Vanessa, who'd been travelling to a friend's birthday party, died on the spot. The Gleaner reported Vanessa's grieving mother, Veronica Nelson, as wailing, "Woe be unto the one who fire the shot and kill my daughter! God nah sleep, and God is a good God! Please God, please, don't mek mi daughter death go in vain!"

Her entreaty to God was answered in this way. It took the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) 10 months to complete its investigations. Why? Was the scenario complicated?

Then INDECOM's findings were sent to the DPP. It took that office THREE MORE MONTHS to decide whether a prima facie case lay against the police personnel involved. Then, we had to depend on police to locate and arrest the accused police. It's been THIRTEEN MONTHS since Vanessa, preparing to sit eight CSEC subjects, had her young life so cruelly extinguished by police claiming the car was involved in cell phone robbery.

A police report claimed a firearm was found in the car with spent shells. Didn't the police see (or suspect) there were several people in the car? If they were fired upon, why return fire? Are Jamaican police incapable of capturing an alleged thief other than by gunshot? Was there no other way? Was patience not an option?

Seh, mi no like them kinda Babylon

Seh, mi no dig dem kinda wicked men

For I am a righteous Rastaman

and I am a dread, dread, one-eye man

Lest we forget: On May 23, 2010, soldiers and police stormed a barricaded Tivoli Gardens ostensibly to execute a single arrest warrant on one man. They used military tactics and wartime weapons, including mortars. When the dust cleared, Tivoli resembled war-torn Kosovo. At least 77 Jamaican citizens lost their lives, including one soldier. To date, there's been no police or INDECOM investigation. Only Mr Bumble has essayed an investigation and his report, published after THREE YEARS, has called for an investigation.

Really? Seriously? Seventy-odd killed to arrest one man? Are Jamaican police incapable of capturing a fugitive other than by gunshot? Was there no other way? Was patience not an option?

After the hullabaloo, police discovered the fugitive being chauffeured into Kingston and used surveillance procedures to capture him and his chauffeur without a shot being fired. The big, bad fugitive, whose initial arrest attempt required more than 70 casualties, was disguised as a woman and surrendered meekly.

Oh what a wicked situation!

I and I starving.

This might cause a revolution

and a dangerous pollution.

KILLED LIKE DOGS

Lest we forget: On Friday, March 15, 2013, fireman Andrew Brydson, his brother Triston and their cousin, chef Kingsley Green, were killed by police during an operation at Shrewsbury, Westmoreland. Police initially stated two illegal guns were recovered. Nobody claimed any spent shells were recovered. Residents said the men were innocently building a cookshop when they were slaughtered.

More than 100 residents protested by marching, beating drums and blocking main roads, asserting the victims' innocence. But, suppose they were guilty of a crime; any crime. Is the prescribed punishment to be killed in the street like mad dogs?

A protester wailed "We will not stop until we get justice ... . A lie the police a tell pon the youth dem. They were law-abiding Christian men ... . Wi nah stop protest until we get some answers."

Any answers? Of course not. It took the police FIVE DAYS to hand over statements taken to INDECOM. What did INDECOM do about it? Cry to the press. Not one policeman was sanctioned for the inexcusable delay which itself ensures justice won't appear to have been done.

I and I gwine beat down Babylon.

I and I gwine beat down Babylon.

I and I mus' whip dem wicked men.

I and I mus' whip dem wicked men.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Whip dem whip dem!"

Kerrie 'Junior' Byles, born on July 17, 1948, worked briefly as a firefighter and so can feel the Brydson family's pain. Byles grew up in Jones Town and sang in the church but didn't 'buss' as a popular vocalist until joining with Lee 'Scratch' Perry for the seminal hit, Beat Down Babylon.

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.