The Epitome Of Jamaica's Political Violence

According to the Electoral Commission of Jamaica there were two major elections in the 1970’s. Firstly, the seventh General Parliamentary Elections was held on February 29^th 1972. The PNP won 37 seats with 69.8% of the vote and the JLP took 16 seats with 30.2% of the votes. The Right Honorable Micheal Manley became the fourth Prime Minister.

Secondly, in 1976 the eighth General Parliamentary Elections were held. Constituencies were increased to 60 seats. The PNP took 47 seats with 78.3% of the votes while the JLP won 13 seats with 21.7% of the votes. The Rt. Hon. Micheal Manley again became Prime Minister. This election was held during a National State of Emergency which Manley stated was necessary as a result of increased violence in the country. however many analysts believed Manley used the power of the state for devastating strategic and propaganda effect against his political opponent.

As stated by Williams (2011) in The Evolution of Political Violence in Jamaica 1940-1980, the 1970s represents an era marred by brutal political violence and the government’s inability to resolve the economic crisis. Both the JLP and PNP’s participation in political tribalism and politically motivated violence brought the credibility of Jamaican democracy and political practice into question. The competition between the JLP’s Hugh Shearer and later Edward Seaga, and the PNP’s Michael Manley for power is of pivotal significance to the evolution of political violence in the 1970s. This era gave rise to Jamaica’s most destructive partisan politics as local gunmen used terror tactics to disrupt the general elections.

This political behaviour was accountable for the death of nearly a thousand people as both parties viciously contested the 1976 and 1980 general elections. During Manley’s term as prime minister, there were a number of incidents that implicated his government in the perpetration of violence. One of the most egregious was the so-called ‘Green Bay Massacre’ in 1978 in which JLP supporters were allegedly set up, ambushed, and killed by members of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF), presumed to be supporters of the government in power (People’s National Party). This incident served to portray the PNP as a force behind the violence and created distrust for the government among a growing percentage of the population.

So it was no longer viewed as a Jamaica Labour Party problem, fingers were now being pointed at both political parties. This issue of politically related violence is one that has remained over the years. And we see this being portrayed as recent as this year 2016, the year of Jamaica’s most recent General Election.

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Roots of Jamaican Political Violence

Jamaica Labor Party, headed by Alexander Bustamante used conservative nationalism and created the framework for political violence. This political structure was further corrupted and exploited by both political parties over the years, thus encouraging loyal grassroots supporters to engage in violence in order to maintain power and win elections.

According to Williams(2011) dissertation entitled The Evolution of Political Violence in Jamaica 1940-1980, Manley’s collusion in violence via party supporters was evident in his testimony before the Hearne Commission in 1949 when he stated that “actually what happened was when you got your representatives at trouble spots, the trouble stopped. Of course, at times things developed into a fight.” Based on Manley’s statement, it is evident that he was aware of violence via the defensive actions of loyal party supporters in the 1949 election. By 1960, gang violence became equal to the high death rate, rise in gun violence, and hypocritical politicians who refused to acknowledge their role in propagating violence.

By independence in 1962, Norman Manley claimed victory for advancing Jamaica from a colony to independence while reminiscing on his tenure in office, and claimed that the country’s infrastructure was stronger due to his economic programs. However, despite these achievements, political violence persisted. In the 1940s, both Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley though they are forefathers of modern Jamaican politics they engaged in political deception to win elections, and developed the framework for political violence in Jamaica.

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A Look at Digital Code of Ethics

In this constantly improving technology era there is likely to be widespread support for the idea of a digital code of ethics. This is based on concerns over electronic intrusion. Scenario:

“I took a call at five o’clock this morning,” Supt Richard Cooper told me last week. “A girl had texted her friend to say she’d taken an overdose. She couldn’t be found.” It is now Cooper’s job to decide whether Gloucestershire police should ask telephone and internet companies for customer records that, in this case, could save a life. 

Detectives in Gloucestershire accept that intrusive powers should be used no more than necessary. But they do not think these tools should be confined to serious cases. “If someone has stolen your bike and you see it advertised online with a mobile number to call, you expect us to find it,” one said. Senior officers believe ethical problems arising from their powers to access communication data are likely to become more acute as we rely ever more on electronic communication. (Rozenberg, 2015),

According to an article in the guardian by Joshua Rozenberg (2015), the police can obtain communication data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, known as Ripa. Such data may provide details of where, when and for how long a phone or a computer has been used but not the contents of a phone or email. But then there is concern from the public regarding invasion of privacy.

In countries such as Jamaica, the police often visit telecommunication companies and obtain information on suspects, although the cry about invasion of privacy is still prominent. An example of this was portrayed in the Jamaican highly publicized case involving popular entertainer Adijah “Vybz Kartel” Palmer. In the court proceedings a witness from telecoms company Digicel testified that none of the 40 telephone numbers for which the police requested customer information was “ascribed” to Vybz Kartel and his four co-accused.

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Ethical Standards in Military (Soldiers)

Soldiers are often viewed as being the most disciplined and well respected criminal justice profession. In order to maintain this view there ethical standards that one must follow.

According to the Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, the military has a code of ethics that are referred to as core values and are drilled into every new recruit. Especially as public affairs professionals, they have to hold themselves and all service members to high ethical standards.

As Soldiers, the public expects them to be truthful, honest, and professional. If they do not avoid conflicts of interest they can lose the public's' trust, and bring shame to themselves, their career field, and overall service to the country. Examples of conflict faced by soldiers include: bribery which is offering, promising, demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to receive anything of value to influence any official act. And compensation from other sources which refers to a task or job performed outside normal working hours does not necessarily allow employees to accept payment for performing it. If the undertaking is part of one's official duties, pay for its performance may not be accepted from any other source regardless of when it was performed.

Military leaders while highlighting soldiers' ethical dilemmas stated that in the war in Iraq and war on terrorism, it is often unclear to military leaders who "the enemy" is, creating such ethical dilemmas as whether to bomb threatening targets even though it may harm civilians or use torture tactics to get people to reveal enemy secrets. (Dittmann, 2005) This often comes down to the soldiers using their discretion or resorting to the principle of utilitarianism which supports an act if it benefits the majority of persons.

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Corruption -> Honesty- Ethics

As defined by Transparency International, ‘Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain’.

Corruption in criminal justice professions is a common topic in almost every country. Law enforcement and military personnel are often put into positions where they are offered large payoffs to ignore illegal conduct. Throughout history, police officers have bought their positions or promotions, sold protection and ignore violations of the law for money.

In Jamaica one might be very familiar with the term, “Left or Write?” meaning in certain situations such as road traffic violations, the officer is asking the offender is willing to leave him/ her some money to not issue him (offender) with a ticket.

There are a number of reasons why the field of policing seems to be very susceptible to bribery and other forms of corruption the main one being the low pay officers receive in relation to responsibilities and work hours.

SUGGESTION FOR CONTROLLING POLICE CORRUPTION:

1. 1.     The first step should be awareness through education. With the help of education we can reduce corruption. According to a survey conducted by India today the least corrupt state is Kerala, the reason being that in Kerala literacy rate is highest in India. So we can see how education effects education. This suggests that if we are educated, we can understand our rights well as well as duties.
2. 2.      Establishment of firm codes of conduct for police officers, with strong penalties for non-compliance.
3. 3.      Development of better selection processes and training for police at all levels, with selection based on merit.
4. 4.      Development of international agreements whereby members of organized crime and other criminal elements cannot find a safe haven for their corrupt activities. (Peter,2000).

Systematic change in government processes. If the members of the governing body are government officials, there will certainly be less reports of the criminal cases. Police department is not safe from this ailment. We need to change such assumption through police corruption is formed.

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A Look into Forensic Ethics

The field of forensic science is essential to the criminal justice system. Forensic personnel are responsible for the collection, preservation, analysis, and interpretation of evidence and so these personnel must pay close attention to detail during these processes. If evidence is mishandled, manipulated, or misinterpreted it can potentially destroy a case and/or the lives of all individuals involved.

As i have learnt in many of my forensic courses, "Every contact leaves a trace" (Locard's Exchange Principle).

 For that reason it is vital that forensic personnel are not only properly trained and educated, but they must also be of good moral and ethical character. Many cases have been tainted due to unethical behavior; more must be done in order to prevent unethical behavior from taking place in the field of forensic science. (Refuge, 2011)

The identification, collection, and preservation of any piece of forensic evidence will ultimately involve numerous individuals. At any step within the process, evidence can be deliberately or accidentally mishandled hence it is important to maintain proper chain of custody.

This risk begins at the scene of the crime, where there is the possibility of evidence planting, destruction, or mishandling. After the scene has been processed, evidence is then sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis. Here, it can be subjected to contamination through poor testing methods, excess consumption, mislabeling, and even loss or destruction. After the analysis has been performed, those analyzing the evidence must then report on their findings accurately and honestly.

In the courtroom forensic personnel are often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in regards to their specialty (Van & Saks 1983). In some cases the expert testimony given by forensic personnel have a lot of weight in regards to the outcome of the case (Van & Saks 1983). For that reason it is vital that the expert witness (forensic scientist) be 100% qualified and be of good ethical and moral character (Hart, 2004). And as such, they have an obligation not to mislead the jury, defense, or the state when testifying before the court, or when preparing their reports relating to their analyses of forensic evidence.

While there exists no single ethical code that applies to all disciplines of forensic science, the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Code of Ethics requires each certified member ensure that any opinions rendered with regard to their analyses are done so “only to the extent justified” by the evidence in question, and to also ensure that the testimony given is presented “in a clear, straightforward manner” that in no way misrepresents or extends “themselves beyond their field of competence.” Testimony should be given “in such a manner so that the results are not misinterpreted.” (ABC, 2010)

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