– Advertisement –
By Kisean Joseph
[email protected]
Attorney and Deputy Political Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Sherfield Bowen, says he does not support calls for an independent body to investigate police officers accused of misconduct. Instead, he argues the police are capable of investigating cases involving other officers.
Bowen’s comments come as public pressure mounts for greater accountability following a recent police-involved shooting of a Bolans teenager. MP for St Mary’s South Kelvin Simon and attorney Leon Chaku Symister have called for an impartial, external authority to investigate incidents involving police officers.
When pressed specifically about whether an independent team should investigate the Khaleel Simon shooting, Bowen maintained his stance that police can investigate police officers.
However, he emphasized that the real issue lies elsewhere.
“The issue in this case, and at this time, is communication and transparency. Communicate with the public. Whatever you can say, say, let the public know something is being done, and be honest with the approach.”
The UPP deputy political leader says what matters most is for the police force to be transparent with the public about matters involving its own personnel, being honest with the public and communicating with the public and doing what needs to be done.
“I am also of the view that the police do investigate their own and can investigate their own, and you just made a reference to the recent conviction of the police officer,” he stated. “That was a matter that was filed by the police against the police. So, I do believe that the police can and have investigated police officers.”
The UPP deputy leader cited his own professional experience to support his position. “I have been involved in cases where police officers are brought before the court by the police, and so I know the police can investigate the police,” he stated.
Bowen pointed to other examples of internal police investigations that have led to charges. “We have police officers who were charged with robbery. We have police officers who were charged with shooting at others with intent. So, police can and have investigated police officers.”
Meanwhile, when asked about implementing body cameras in the wake of high-profile cases involving Manny James, Rashawn “Turtle” Shabazz, Khaleel Simon, and a recent case involving an officer found guilty of discharging his firearm 12 times, Bowen expressed strong support, while insisting that the existing system and investigative framework already work effectively.
“Every crime-fighting mechanism, every instrument to ascertain the truth of a matter, is important in any developing society. That would be something that could be added as another means of getting integrity in the police department, you know, to enhance and to show exactly what happens. It would be very important,” Bowen said.
About The Author
– Advertisement –
