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JCF says number of police fatalities unacceptably high
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington
Don't shoot unless your life depends on it.
That's the stern message from Police Commissioner Owen Ellington to the members of the JCF as he moves decisively to address criticisms over the increase in civilian fatalities during shoot-outs with criminals.
Commissioner Ellington says the Force must respond to legitimate concerns and expectations adding that the rate of police/criminal confrontations, with attendant injuries and fatalities is unacceptably high.
The admission comes just days after Immaculate High School student 16 year old Vanessa Kirkland was killed during a police operation.
Following a request from the Security Minister for a comprehensive review of the Force's Operating Procedures the senior leadership of the JCF discussed the matter during meeting on Monday.
Arising from the discussions, a team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delworth Heath, has been assigned to conduct an urgent review of the Use of Force Policy and Training.
It has been given two weeks to make recommendations for radical improvement.
Among the changes under consideration is the standard of care to be exercised by the police when deadly force is to be used.
The JCF is considering a policy position which demands that the police officer's concern for bystander safety be extended to the attacker.
Another area being looked at is the threat to use deadly force.
The existing Force Policy insists that a police officer should not remove a handgun from its holster unless he is legally and morally prepared to take a life.
The Commissioner says such a strict rule denies the police the tactical option of threatening the use of deadly force while demanding that an attacker ceases an attack or drops a weapon.
Other suggestions include the firing of warning shots-- a practice which is prohibited in the current Force policy as well as waiting out armed suspects.
Police Commissioner Owen Ellington
Don't shoot unless your life depends on it.
That's the stern message from Police Commissioner Owen Ellington to the members of the JCF as he moves decisively to address criticisms over the increase in civilian fatalities during shoot-outs with criminals.
Commissioner Ellington says the Force must respond to legitimate concerns and expectations adding that the rate of police/criminal confrontations, with attendant injuries and fatalities is unacceptably high.
The admission comes just days after Immaculate High School student 16 year old Vanessa Kirkland was killed during a police operation.
Following a request from the Security Minister for a comprehensive review of the Force's Operating Procedures the senior leadership of the JCF discussed the matter during meeting on Monday.
Arising from the discussions, a team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delworth Heath, has been assigned to conduct an urgent review of the Use of Force Policy and Training.
It has been given two weeks to make recommendations for radical improvement.
Among the changes under consideration is the standard of care to be exercised by the police when deadly force is to be used.
The JCF is considering a policy position which demands that the police officer's concern for bystander safety be extended to the attacker.
Another area being looked at is the threat to use deadly force.
The existing Force Policy insists that a police officer should not remove a handgun from its holster unless he is legally and morally prepared to take a life.
The Commissioner says such a strict rule denies the police the tactical option of threatening the use of deadly force while demanding that an attacker ceases an attack or drops a weapon.
Other suggestions include the firing of warning shots-- a practice which is prohibited in the current Force policy as well as waiting out armed suspects.
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