…to deliberate on ethical side of issue
GOVERNMENT will take a decision based on ethics as it relates to the issue involving Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene who admitted to having consensual sex with the woman who accused him of raping her. This was pronounced on by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) at his post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday at the Office of the President.
Dr. Luncheon stated, “We (the government) want to make decisions that are beyond contention; we would like to be on the correct and safe side and adopt a position that addresses the concerns of all in this matter.”
In assuming that the criminal aspect of the matter has been resolved by Chief Justice, Ian Chang’s ruling to dismiss the rape charge against the Commissioner, Dr. Luncheon explained that in the absence of an appeal, the Chief Justice’s ruling would be maintained and this will allow government to conclude deliberations on the issue of ethics.
According to Dr. Luncheon, Greene is still the Commissioner of Police and the issue involving him is under discussion, hence the calls for his resignation could only be directed to him and not to the government, since any move to dismiss Greene has to be done in accordance with the Constitution and not based on calls from the opposition or other bodies.
Responding to queries about media reports that it was confirmed by a senior government official that the commissioner has resigned, Dr. Luncheon stated that government is not in receipt of any resignation from Greene. He advised that the media disregard any report to that effect that was not confirmed by the HPS.
He explained further that although government can terminate the agreement with Greene, “in dispensing with the services of a commissioner, it is not merely pulling the plug… as the constitution prescribes the process for removing the commissioner.”
The HPS affirmed that the Jamaican police who were present during the investigation into the Greene issue provided support to the investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as only ranks from that unit can conduct such an investigation.
The findings from the investigation formed a consolidated report which was presented to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on which the advice to charge Greene with rape was made.