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Jamaica Police Commissioner Owen Ellington steps down
Outgoing Jamaican Police Commissioner Owen Ellington. PHOTO/Jamaica Gleaner
Jamaica’s top cop is retiring ahead of a fact-finding inquiry into the conduct of security forces during a bloody state of emergency 4 years ago, the government announced Monday.
The Caribbean country’s national security ministry said Police Commissioner Owen Ellington’s retirement will be official after he finishes taking his allotted vacation time in the coming days.
According to the ministry, Ellington’s decision to retire is based “on the need to separate himself from the leadership” of the force prior to the start of a commission of inquiry that will examine a 2010 security operation that killed a number of people as police hunted for the island-nation’s biggest gang kingpin – Christopher Michael Coke, also known as Dudus.
Last year, Jamaica’s public defender said his office was looking into complaints that some of the civilian deaths during the state of emergency could have been unjustifiable homicides.
The ministry also said his retirement will also allow an independent panel to probe allegations of numerous police killings in central Clarendon parish “without any perception of influence or interference on his part.”
Security Minister Peter Bunting said Ellington’s contributions during his tenure as commissioner helped improve police professionalism and lower crime rates. Ellington has been a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for 34 years.
Deputy Commissioner Glenmore Hinds will act as the top cop until a new commissioner is appointed.
The Full Release From The Jamaican Ministry of National Security
Minister of National Security, Honourable Peter Bunting, has been advised of the request by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owen Ellington to retire from his post on completion of vacation leave due to him.
He will proceed on leave on Tuesday July 1, 2014.
Commissioner Ellington has indicated that his decision to retire is based on the need to separate himself from the leadership and management of the Force prior to the commencement of the upcoming Commission of Enquiry into the conduct of the Operations of the Security Forces in Western Kingston and other areas during the limited State of Emergency in 2010.
In addition, he believes it will allow the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM, to conduct its investigation into allegations of police-involved killings in the Clarendon Division (some of which occurred during his tenure) without any perception of influence or interference on his part.
The Minister of National Security expresses appreciation for the 34 years of service Mr. Ellington gave to the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the people of Jamaica.
The Minister also acknowledges Mr. Ellington’s contribution to improving the professionalism of the JCF and establishing strategies that have led to a significant reduction in crime and improvement in public security during his tenure as Commissioner.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds has been appointed to act as Commissioner of Police effective Tuesday, July 1, 2014 while the Police Service Commission commences the process of appointing a new Commissioner of Police.