Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin (centre) meets with members of the executive of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ).- The meeting was held at the PAJ's East Avenue headquarters in Kingston yesterday. PAJ executive members are (from left) Daraine Luton - director; Milton Walker - treasurer, Byron Buckley - president; Naomi Francis - secretary, and Irvin Forbes - assistant secretary. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer
THE LEADERSHIP of the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has agreed to revise the existing police/media policy and to fully implement it.
At a meeting with the PAJ executive last Thursday, Commis-sioner of Police Hardley Lewin said while elements of the policy, drafted in the late 1990s, were being practised by members of the JCF, the document needed to be revised then promulgated in the Police Force Orders. This, Lewin said, would be done after a joint PAJ/police team reviews the document.
Last week's meeting was requested by PAJ President Byron Buckley, following the arrest of Gleaner photographer Ricardo Makyn while covering a crime scene in Half-Way Tree Square a few weeks ago. The PAJ president had also asked Commissioner Lewin to investigate the incident.
Commenting on the findings of the internal investigation, the commissioner said it appeared that egos were at play and that the incident did not necessitate the arrest of The Gleaner photographer.
Commissioner Lewin agreed with PAJ President Byron Buckley that the incident was an "aberration", as generally police and media cooperate with each other in carrying out their respective duties.
prompt agreement
"I wish to commend Commis-sioner Lewin for his prompt agreement to meet with the PAJ and for conducting what appeared to be a credible internal investigation of the incident," said Buckley.
Makyn, who was charged with using abusive language, disobeying an order to move and assault, appeared in the Petty Sessions section of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on March 4. The case was put off due to the unavailability of the arresting policeman. The trial was rescheduled for April 6.
Turning to the alleged police abuse of Observer Reporter Julian Richardson, Commissioner Lewin said the matter was being pursued and the law would take its course. He commended the reporter for going through the official channels of complaint within the JCF, rather than choosing to first publish the story in the media.