Omar Davis (not to be confused with the former finance minister) was killed in a police operation last Tuesday, two days after the newest minister of national security promised the newest assault on crime.

Once again, police and community have completely different accounts of the incident. According to the Constabulary Communication Network: "about 6 a.m., police went to a premises where Davis was seen. On seeing the police, he allegedly pulled a firearm and opened fire on the police, who returned the fire, hitting him. A Glock 17 9mm pistol serial number EHY873 with five 9mm cartridges was taken from him. He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead."

These unvarying police accounts of police killings suggest suicidal intent in individuals who would open fire at a police party. Further, the police are invariably lucky enough to avoid being hit by a shooter who fires before they can take cover.

Wearing underpants

Residents of Omar Davis' community said the police held him, took him out of his room, and held him at his gate. Meanwhile, police persons searched his room. Davis was wearing underpants and a woman police brought him a pair of pants to put on as he seemed about to be taken to the police station. A policeman then came out of Davis' room with a gun he said he found during his search.

Eyewitnesses, who were then getting ready to leave their homes for work, said that Davis resisted the attempts of the police to force him to return to his room. According to these persons, police pointed guns at Davis, gunshots were heard, and Davis fell at the gate. A police inspector, wearing latex gloves, reportedly fired several bullets from the weapon said to be found in Davis' room.

Minister Nelson needs to answer questions from communities who report seeing persons in police custody before they are killed. Does the forensic evidence signify self-defence or execution? Was there gunshot residue on the hands of the deceased? Do photographs of bullet holes and spent shells on crime scene support the shoot-out stories? How do forensic scientists analyse evidence of blood and blood splatter on the crime scene?

Due process

If Davis had a gun, but posed no threat to the police because he was in police custody, was he entitled to due process of law - arrest and conviction - if the evidence warranted it?

It would be more than unfortunate if each minister of national security were no more than a clone of the last, pursuing ever more futile 'assaults on crime'; and if the life of young men like Omar Davis had no more value than a bird in a bird-shooting season with no bag limit.

I am, etc.,

YVONNE MCCALLA SOBERS

sobersy@yahoo.com