And just like the ComPol defended Godson Makin, you've also heard him argue against the decision to sentence his first cousin Inspector Christopher Martinez to prison for wounding. His comments regarding that decision and that of Jevon Mckay - who was fined for aggravated assault against the Commissioner - was referred to as bordering on contempt by the Association of Defense Lawyers last week. They said that he should cease and desist from making such public statements. We asked for his thoughts on the press release, and while he didn't "call no names," he did call out a well known attorney for previous comments he made.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"When one of those same members of the Association for Defense Attorneys had gone and given and interview to the media and said that we're bringing white judges to send black people to jail, was there any concern raised? I would say that borders contempt of court as well. You see, we have a society where some people feel like they can do certain things but when others do less than they did, they want to make an issue. That Association, while I have the utmost respect for its members, their job is to defend the persons that fall within the domain of the police, who have committed a crime. And of course they will do all they can to make sure they defend their constituents. As the Commissioner of Police I have a responsibility, not just to myself but the country and the officers that I lead and I maintain my position that the same way we're saying to police officers don't abuse the public because if you do you're going to jail, the same way we must tell the public don't abuse the police because if you do, you're going to jail."
Courtney Menzies:
"Sir but what they're saying is that it's not a good look. You are the head of the department under the Ministry of Home Affairs, you may have gone to law school but you're not practicing law, you're not a part of the judiciary in this manner. They say, regardless of what your opinion may be, to make these statements public, that's not a good look."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I was very candid what what I said. And one can also say that the comment of my good friend was one that ought not to have been made by a senior attorney in this country, to say that we're bringing white people to send black people to jail. You know how that sound? I'll say nothing more about that."
