Jamaican Police.Com

The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has condemned the actions of a policeman who had a confrontation with (and allegedly assaulted) a CVM TV correspondent (cameraman) who attempted to film the scene of an alleged police killing in St Ann on Saturday, July 3.

According to reports, the cameraman was attempting to film the scene where 31 year old shopkeeper, Donovan ‘Zabo’ Pottinger had been killed. He was filming the scene from beyond a police cordon, but was told to turn off the camera. The correspondent, who did not comply, received an injury to his hand, as well as a damage to his camera, as the policeman attempted to seize it. He was also detained and later released.

The PAJ has described the policeman’s behaviour as “atrocious”. Byron Buckley, president of the PAJ, in a press statement on Sunday said “We are astounded that a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force could so blatantly attack a journalist while carrying out his legitimate duties … The PAJ is acutely disappointed that the police continue to harass journalists in this manner, despite the Police High Command agreeing with the association more than a year ago to promulgate rules of engagement.”

The PAJ has called on Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington to investigate the attack on the journalist on Saturday, and to take appropriate disciplinary action.

President of the Media Association Jamaica (MAJ), Gary Allen, also criticised the policeman’s action, and said that the MAJ was in support of ridding all behaviour that impinged on journalists’ rights to carry out their lawful duties.

Below is a Las May cartoon about the matter. It appeared in today’s Jamaica Gleaner newspaper.

Tags : police abuse, police assault, Press Association of Jamaica