Abused by soldier in Maxfield-Waltham

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Recently, about 7 a.m., I was in the Waltham-Maxfield area trying to get to an appointment. The vehicle in which I was travelling was stopped by a patrol operating under the state of emergency.

Feeling indignant about the stop, I asked the soldier, who proceeded to search my bag after I left the vehicle with all the other passengers, why we were singled out.

My question was not answered, and my irritation invited scrutiny. More than six times I was disrespectfully told, "Stop yu noise!" in an extremely threatening tone. I was also searched. I was ordered to spread my legs, which I did, but they were not adequately apart, it seemed, so my right foot was kicked further out by the soldier. He grabbed at my side and back pockets, and never for a second checked whether I had anything concealed on my legs.

Out of fear for what many Jamaicans usually experience in their interactions with the police, I let my rage subside, and accepted the harassment and abuse. After all, what could I have done?

What was to stop this soldier from hitting me, from reaching for his gun and, in a final attempt to demonstrate that he is above being challenged, killing me? What if I had not heeded his fiat? Would I have been able to write this?

Initiatives to curb crime will not be successful if the people mandated to effect them are complete asses.

Mr Prime Minister, I do not feel safe around your law-enforcement operatives. The security forces need to be educated on how to use the English language, being respectful, and ought to be exposed to police codes and the Jamaican Constitution.

CORY CLEMMINGS