Attorney Joshua Francis is appealing to police officers to uphold and enforce the law impartially.
Francis spoke in the wake of a recent one-day protest action taken by bus drivers in Dominica where one protester was injured by a rubber bullet and another was beaten by several police officers.
The bus operators said their action was to force the government to provide “much-needed assistance” because of the financial impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the negative impact of the recent rise in the price of fuel on their trade.
“Of course, the functions of police is very wide; they have investigative functions. If there is a crime, they are responsible to investigate. Based on their investigations, they will determine whether to make an arrest or not,” Francis said. “They are to uphold and enforce the law; it must be done impartially.”
However, he said sometimes, one gets the impression that some police officers are there to protect the system or the status quo and they don’t realize they have a responsibility to the citizen.
Francis suggests that the police must weigh their responsibilities between the citizens and the state where there is a conflict.
“You cannot just take it on your own and say you are going to protect the state at the expense of the citizen, because the citizen has rights and that is why there are questions of human rights violation,” the lawyer stated.
He believes there is need to take stock and inventory of police behavior in Dominica.
“People don’t really take matters before the court abundantly as in some other jurisdictions and hence, police officers think they can get away,” Francis said.
However, according to the attorney, more and more people are becoming aware of their rights and, “we will see the increase in numbers as far as litigation is concerned, so that police officers will be reminded that they have a responsibility.”
Likewise, Francis pointed out, citizens must be reminded that they have a responsibility for peace and order.
He said he understands why police officers would be concerned about the roads being blocked, because if protestors blocked the roads, clearly, they would be violating traffic laws but he pointed out that universally, when people protest such things are expected to happen to get the attention of the state.
“That is why they are called protests and strikes,” he argued. “And as such, police officers must be discreet.”
Francis insists that blocking of roads does not justify a police officer beating on a citizen especially where that person is unarmed.
The citizen was identified as Esrom George, who has said that he is contemplating taking legal action against the police officers who assaulted him.
Well said Ibo, it could not be said differently. Thanks 👍 Much ☺️.
We have serious concerns and issues 🥺 in this Dominica that we need to address before this fake failed incompetent PM Skerrit drown us into the abyss of deceitfullness. It’s all about fanfare and comical Engagement. We need mature competent decent trusted intelectual visionary Politician as our in coming Gentlemanly Prime Minister Team. The UWP.
We need to close this lost 20 years of Labour government under its failed incompetent Questionable inmature sitting Prime Odd Minister. These are serious concerns that needs to be addressed ASAP. There is alot if work to be done and Our Nature Isle Dominica has all these qualified committed decent people to elevate our Dominica’ to that level of decency and respect for our people, our government and our Dominica. We welcome our Decent trusted competent professional trustworthy reliable Hon. Lennox Linton and his well qualified trusted United Workers. UWP. We need change…
Joshua Francis’s appeal is meant for rational people. The armed bandits only duty is to please an audience of one man. Your words, Mr. Francis, will only fall on barren land. They won’t germinate.
The people deserve servant leadership but what they are getting is a growing dictatorship. The leader’s private militia only exists to impress him. These guys have become so brutal that it is more likely to survive a category 5 hurricane in a thatched house than to come out with your life intact after an overnight detention in a Dominican jail cell.
Roosevelt Skerrit has created an indelible discoloration on the soul of Dominica.
One thing I know for sure is that “The bands of wickedness” that grilled over Dominica the last 20 yrs is about to be broken. I would advise Astaphan and my friend Lennox Lawrence to start to prepare for when President Biden calls or sends a ticket to PM Skerrit because it’s getting hot hot hot here, as President Biden continues to call friends of Skerrit in Russia and Venezuela
The police in Dominica is very selective with the law. If Skerrit or his ministers or even friends of the government commit a crime, no matter how bad that crime is the police will do their.best to ignore it or don’t investigate just to make sure Skerrit is protected. On the other hand if your name is Lennox Linton or a member or supporter of the opposition, the police will look for ways to harass, intimidate, provoke, arrest and even shoot you even when they know you are innocent
Some of the police officers can’t even write a statement thats how stupid they are I hope that guy they beat up put curse on them and put them god knows where wicked
Mr. Esrom George would be a complete idiot if he does not take action against the government, police force and the officer himself. Understandably he has a brother in the police force but that will also send the message to his brother that police brutality is not the way he should go in the service of his country.
Suit them and use the money to buy a new bus CASH like many cabalists are “accused” of doing with our tax money. Suit them I say! Too much police brutality these days. And while at it, don’t forget to visit the Haitian man in possie to talk about “taking care ” of the leg the officer used to kick you like a discarded dog
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In ALL the protests that i have been to, the police is the one starting the trouble. They are on video!!
This is what a country gets, when parl reps were the ones recommending ones elegibility to be a police officer.
The people need to push back!
I do not support Joshua for promoting adverse possession. That is legalised stealing man. I mean, you can own a property and if you not careful a squatter can take that property without paying you after twelve years.No Josh, crooked lawyers themselves are guilty of that. Don’t be one of them my boy.