Police Federation boss interdicted after criticising high command, faces dismissal
Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James has been interdicted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) over remarks he made earlier this month at a funeral service for a slain cop.
OBSERVER ONLINE understands that James was notified on Wednesday that following a probe into the remarks, police commissioner Major General Antony Anderson has directed that disciplinary action be taken against him at a Court of Enquiry, and therefore he was being interdicted from duty with immediate effect at three-quarters of his salary.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service for the life of slain Constable Damien Blair at the Old Harbour New Testament Church of God in the St Catherine on July 15, James reportedly chided the Police High Command for allegedly failing to have overtime payments made to rank-and-file police personnel, despite the Government approving such a system to calculate and make the payments.
“Mark my word and I also want to say to the High Command and our Commissioner, ‘God help you if the membership is not paid their overtime this month,’” James is quoted as saying, adding that the federation will not be “muzzled, intimidated, nor bamboozled”.
James, is being accused of conduct contrary to the “discipline, good order and guidance of the Force”, and is facing four charges related to the remarks, including being disrespectful to seniors in rank and communicating to the public certain sensitive issues within the JCF without permission from the commissioner.
He faces being kicked out of the force for his actions.
Police Federation general secretary Arleen McBean confirmed that James had been interdicted in a message sent to rank-and-file cops on Thursday.