#agentsofthestate

Blog #7

This is blog seven of 10 which will highlight the various responsibilities and duties of not just police officers but also other agents of the state. 

Responsibilities of Police Officers

Police Officers are given numerous powers such as the ability to use force, the power of arrest, and a few others. Having such powers comes with great responsibility, and these powers of police are only legal in cases where they are being used to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. The responsibilities of police officers include but are not limited to:

Preserving the Peace- enforcing laws and maintaining public order

Protecting the citizens and their properties.

Protecting the country’s borders

Serving and executing summonses issued by the Court.

Detecting and preventing crime- by patrolling and community policing.

Apprehending criminals

Interviewing suspects and taking statements

These are only a few responsibilities of Police officers in Jamaica.

 Responsibilities of Agents of the State and the Government

 Agents of the state refer to those individuals who are members of parliament, are a part of the security forces, and/ or who are somehow directly aligned to the government and contribute to the overall running of the country. These agents have numerous responsibilities which vary depending on their facility or their area of expertise. Along with many others, the following list contains a few responsibilities: 

Serving and protecting citizens and their property.

Maintaining public order.

Providing world class health care to citizens.

Protecting the Constitutional Rights of all citizens.

Provide public services, national security and economic security/assistance.

Each individual must play his/her part in carrying out their responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the country.  

Educate Yourself, and Know Your Rights! Stay Tuned for More!- Zorian Clarke

Reference

Jamaica Constabulary Force. (n.d.). Police-Citizen Relations in Jamaica. http://www.oas.org/es/sla/dlc/mesicic/docs/jam_res26.pdf

Blog #5

This is blog five of six which will highlight the issue of classism within the criminal justice system. This issue is often overlooked as it is not just an issue within law enforcement but also an issue within the society at large. 

What is Classism?

Classism refers to a level of prejudice and discrimination towards someone of a particular social class. Classism often favors the upper class, somewhat benefits the middle class and negatively affects the lower class. The upper class represents a small percentage of the population, in whose hands over 85% of the country’s wealth is concentrated. The lower class represents majority of Jamaica’s population and the lower class in most country’s typically holds 2% of the country’s wealth. The middle class as the name suggests is in the middle and is the second highest in terms of concentrated wealth and % of population. 

Classism in Law Enforcement

Classism is a issue of law enforcement especially in Jamaica where our justice system is filled with corruption. In today’s criminal justice system, it is easier for an individual belonging to the upper class to get away with criminal activity. One such example is the case of the former Minister of Education, Ruel Reid. We can see where he embezzled numerous funds from the Caribbean Maritime University and from the government, and after being caught he was only spotlighted for a few months after which this case became a thing of the past since the public is unaware of current happenings.  

Classism can also be seen in many other areas of law enforcement on a daily basis and it is evident in the ways in which persons of the lower class are treated when compared to those of the upper class. Crimes are usually concentrated in communities in Jamaica that are of the poorer class; hence, when citizens are associated with those communities or of the lower class they tend to be treated as criminals at all times, regarded as less than and given the worst treatments. On the other hand, citizens from upper class communities that have a certain status tends to be treated with respect and are usually “above” the law. This can be seen in simple everyday situations, for example, it is extremely rare for a politician, doctor, successful very prominent entrepreneur or any member of the upper class to be given a ticket for speeding. Usually as soon as these persons are identified they are “let off the hook”. 

For too long, classism has affected the fairness and legality of the justice system and this has continued to add to the high levels of corruption within law enforcement. Let us end this issue once and for all and strive for justice.