April 18, 2012 – Mandeville, Jamaica…Nigel Coke/IAD
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) who in recent weeks has come under intense criticism from civil society and human rights groups for a series of questionable police killings since the start of the year, got some support from academia. President of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Dr. Trevor Gardner is calling on his fellow Jamaicans to support the force in its fight against crime.
“The authorities are put in place by God to be helpful to the citizens,” said Dr. Gardner as he referenced Romans 13:1. “If you do not obey the law you should expect punishment. That is the word of God. It says you should be afraid of the law if you are not doing right.”
Dr. Gardner was the speaker at the 12th annual Prayer, Thanksgiving and Awards Service for the security forces held April 14, at NCU main campus in Mandeville under the theme “Models of Excellence in Nation Building.”
“Some of us criticize the police and I see it among most of the elite of us, the educated and the defenders of the rights and we must defend our rights,” added Dr. Gardner. “But, we cannot have criminal running carelessly and taking lives wantonly, destroying the fabric of the community and we sit back and criticize the police when they have to stop it, we must stop it, we must lift the force up, we support them.”
Minister of National Security, the Hon. Peter Bunting, who attended the service, also threw his support behind the lawmen he said “The security forces are literally confronted with the consequences of evil everyday and for them not to lose spirit, faith and commitment it is important for them to have opportunities for spiritual renewals and prayers such as this.”
I am sure they appreciate occasions like this tremendously. Often time the focus is on criticism when they stumble or are perceived to stumble and it’s a few times when communities such as NCU put a structured method of supporting them – acknowledging and honoring their work – showing appreciation for what they do in their continuous dedication to Jamaica.”
Dr. Gardner stated that the message during the ceremony was not for the police force but “for the rest of us in the audience and the nation because what Jamaica needs today is submissive subjects from the kindergarten to the highest office in the land.”
“In this democratic nation justice is paramount for all people and we each expect that under the law the requisite justice will be exercised in the police execution of their duty.
Gardner remarked that the nation is struggling for the minds of its people. “The police cannot do it alone,” he added. “It does not matter how many members of the constabulary force are trained it will still be inadequate.”
Later, nineteen JCF members were awarded for their service over the past 50 years. This included seventeen women, two men and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who celebrates 50 years of existence.
