484 / 494
483
The persons to whom we refer are SSP Graham, SSP Budhoo, DSP Tabannah,
Sgt. Waugh and Sgt. Pratt. This point similarly applies to the commander of the
JDF’s Mortar Unit, Maj. Dixon. CDS Saunders, CoP Ellington, ACP Gause and
DSP Turner are not included in our recommendation because they are no longer
serving members of the JDF and JCF.
15.21
.
We further recommend
that the Mobile Reserve be subjected to
special external oversight arrangements. The Police Citizen Oversight Authority
(PCOA) should be tasked to develop a proposal on how best to configure such
oversight. Mobile Reserve’s systems of internal accountability should also be
reviewed - perhaps by the Inspectorate of the Police and the PCOA either in
partnership or as separate and independent reviews.
2.
USE OF WEAPONS SYSTEMS
15.22.
Both Forces have use of force policies that set high standards of
conduct which their members are required to meet. We find these policies to be
appropriate. The experience of May 2010, however, suggests that there is a gap
in policies that guide the selection of weapons systems that may be used in
internal security operations. This issue is not and should not be narrowly
regarded as an operational issue and therefore beyond the reach of the civil
authorities. Innocent citizens lost their lives because of the use of inappropriate
weapons systems. The citizenry must be protected by sound public policy and
doctrines that should not be the preserve of the security forces only.
We
strongly recommend
that a group of competent persons be tasked to draft
such a policy.
Future use of Mortars and Other Indirect Fire Weapons
15.23
We support the principle of the operational independence of the
Chief of Defence Staff of the JDF as enshrined in the
Defence Act
. Thus, we are
reluctant to suggest the imposition of a fetter on the independence of the Chief