PAJ wants to meet with Commissioner

The Press Association of Jamaica has written to the Commissioner of Police requesting a meeting re-establish the rules of engagement between the media and the police.



The request for the meeting comes following an incident involving Gleaner Photographer, Ricardo Makyn, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer, while working on February 20. Makyn was slapped with three charges for using abusive language to a police officer; assaulting a police officer; and disobeying the instructions of a police officer.



Makyn said he was standing outside an area cordoned off by the police, snapping photographs of a crime scene, when an officer in plain clothes approached him and demanded that he stop taking photographs. An argument then developed during which, the photographer said, he was shoved, twice. Makyn was then taken to the Half-Way Tree Police station where he was charged.



He was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 and is scheduled to appear in the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate\'s Court on March 4.



Below is the letter released by the PAJ:



“The Press Association of Jamaica views with great disquiet the arrest of Gleaner photographer Ricardo Makyn while carrying out his lawful and professional duty at a crime scene in Half Way Tree Square last Friday.



Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the media are involved in performing difficult duties, and are expected to exercise mutual cooperation. The incident, as related to us by Mr Makyn, is worrying for good police-journalist relations going forward.



Against this background, the PAJ is requesting an urgent meeting with you to re-establish rules of engagement for media practitioners and members of the JCF and auxiliary. In addition, we are requesting an internal investigation by your office to determine the facts of the case relating to Mr Makyn’s arrest.”