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Security minister withdraws statement
Posted: 2009-05-29 17:53:10
The National Security minister senator Dwight Nelson has withdraw the controversial statements he made at the police federation conference on Wednesday.
Senator Nelson had said, in the war against crime; there would be collateral damage and that the police should not have to pay in those circumstances.
However, 24-hours after insisting that he would be standing by his comments, Senator Nelson has said sorry.
Senator Nelson’s statement has been the subject of intense public criticisms.
Yesterday, he sought to explain that his comments about collateral damage was being misinterpreted in some quarters.
In a release this afternoon, Senator Nelson acknowledged that his statement has understandably resulted in general public rebuke.
The national security minister said on reflection he has concluded that his use of the term “collateral damage” was unfortunate.
So he’s unreservedly saying sorry to the Jamaican people.
Senator Nelson has also addressed concerns about his statement that he will be hiring a core of lawyers to defend cops accused of breaking the law while on duty.
He says its only where the investigating authorities and the DPP are satisfied that the policeman acted lawfully that the government will be obliged to providing legal support.
Senator Nelson says it was never his intention to suggest or imply that unlawful acts by members of the Security Forces would in any way be condoned or receive any form of support by the Government.
Against this background he restated and sought to clarify the relevant policy issues of the administration.
The national security minister says the Government stands firmly behind the police in the lawful execution of their duty, which places them at great risk when criminals confront them.
Senator Nelson says in defending themselves the police are also defending the nation and upholding the rule of law and the possibility of fatal injury cannot always be avoided.
However, he says there are clearly established rules governing the use of force that must be obeyed.
Posted: 2009-05-29 17:53:10
The National Security minister senator Dwight Nelson has withdraw the controversial statements he made at the police federation conference on Wednesday.
Senator Nelson had said, in the war against crime; there would be collateral damage and that the police should not have to pay in those circumstances.
However, 24-hours after insisting that he would be standing by his comments, Senator Nelson has said sorry.
Senator Nelson’s statement has been the subject of intense public criticisms.
Yesterday, he sought to explain that his comments about collateral damage was being misinterpreted in some quarters.
In a release this afternoon, Senator Nelson acknowledged that his statement has understandably resulted in general public rebuke.
The national security minister said on reflection he has concluded that his use of the term “collateral damage” was unfortunate.
So he’s unreservedly saying sorry to the Jamaican people.
Senator Nelson has also addressed concerns about his statement that he will be hiring a core of lawyers to defend cops accused of breaking the law while on duty.
He says its only where the investigating authorities and the DPP are satisfied that the policeman acted lawfully that the government will be obliged to providing legal support.
Senator Nelson says it was never his intention to suggest or imply that unlawful acts by members of the Security Forces would in any way be condoned or receive any form of support by the Government.
Against this background he restated and sought to clarify the relevant policy issues of the administration.
The national security minister says the Government stands firmly behind the police in the lawful execution of their duty, which places them at great risk when criminals confront them.
Senator Nelson says in defending themselves the police are also defending the nation and upholding the rule of law and the possibility of fatal injury cannot always be avoided.
However, he says there are clearly established rules governing the use of force that must be obeyed.
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