INDECOM boss: Security forces need to change attitude on human rights

Terrence Williams, Commissioner of the Independent Commission of  Investigations (INDECOM), has said there needs to be a change in the attitude of the leadership of the security forces regarding human rights and accountability.
     
He was reacting to the US Government on Tuesday identifying the six units in the security forces for which it has suspended cooperation and assistance under the Leahy Act.
 
"Leaders of these groups (security force units) must facilitate oversight and investigation; they must be careful to consider the conduct of their men to ensure that there can be true accountability and to ensure that they do comport themselves properly,' Mr. Williams asserted.
                                              
The withdrawal of cooperation by the US follows allegations of unlawful killings during the May 2010 Tivoli Gardens operation.     

On Tuesday, the US Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere revealed that two Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) units and four Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) units have been affected.
  
Although the office did not name the units, the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry report had said the police units involved in the operation were Mobile Reserve, Caribbean Search Centre, Firearms and Tactical Training Unit and Flying Squad.  
  
For the JDF, the Second Battalion as well as the Mortar Unit took part in the 2010 operations.