Undercover police officers must wear their police issued identification badges and ensure that anyone they approach is aware of who they are.
That is the mandate of Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson, as reiterated by Press Liaison Officer Inspector Walter Evans.
In light of the recent police shooting in Pinewood Gardens, where 20-year-old Deron Bethel lost his life, small pockets in society feel that anyone could panic and be taken as uncooperative with police.
One participant of a discussion observed over the weekend said, “It could happen to anybody. With all the crime that has been taking place, if I see someone pull up behind me and a group of men jump out of the car with guns, I would try to escape.”
Another female in the group agreed with the male speaker, as she drew reference to the fact that there were men impersonating police officers a few months ago.
Specifically in January, police were on the hunt for a group of men who knocked on the doors of homeowners, claiming to be detectives. Five incidents of robbery were reported within a threeday time frame.
The general consensus of the discussion was that if presented with a situation where a car pulls up behind their own and an armed person exits, it is likely that they would try to flee, unless informed otherwise.
Insp. Evans said yesterday that, “All police officers have an identification badge.” In the case of those driving around in unmarked police cars, the press officer said, all of the officers should clearly display their badge.
He admitted that anyone may be frightened if they saw armed persons approaching them, with no idea who they were. “Persons are to clearly identify themselves as police officers, particularly plain clothes officers. That is the rule, they are to identify themselves,” he stressed.
He explained that the badges have a photo identification, the name of the bearer, their number and rank, as well as the Police Force crest.
“The identification process is what we advise, particularly when it comes from persons in unmarked police vehicles,” he said.
The press officer stated that plain clothes officers are told to indicate clearly, that they are police officers. “We have internal policies in place for dealing with situations,” he noted. “Those policies are to be adhered to, as that is the Commissioner’s policy,” Insp. Evans said.
By JIMENITA SWAIN Guardian Senior Reporter
