Jamaica to probe police officials holding guns on their wedding picture

Jamaica: Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifford Chambers says a high-level investigation into the behaviour of a newlywed couple seen in a photo with firearms will be expanded to include other people in the photo under the investigation.

The picture of a bride and groom kissing while swinging an assault rifle and a handgun during a wedding reception in St James', which allegedly took place over the weekend, took rounds in social media, after which the police initiated an investigation.

The photo shows men in police uniforms and vests appearing to be 'Police'.

Chambers confirmed that the bride and groom were "active serving members of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force)."

"[Other] persons [pictured] are in uniforms designated for district constable dress, which was clearly detectable based on the picture. The investigation will also include it,” Chambers said in connection with an internal investigation that was launched.

"For the time being, an internal investigation is underway, and at the end of it, I am sure that from the evidence presented itself, a decision will be made within the context of the JCF protocols that determine the conduct of members," Chambers told Jamaica Observer yesterday.

He said that once a violation of internal protocols is clearly identified, the appropriate punishment will follow.

"As it stands, the nature of the action is being investigated and in the end, the offense will be investigated and the appropriate steps will be taken," Chambers said, adding that a series of actions could be taken to reprimand or possible dismissal.

However, Assistant Commissioner refrained from naming the ranks of the police officials in the picture.

"I do not want to put it on a ranking list, because the same qualities that govern an inspector, the same person's ranked a sergeant. With certain offices comes certain authority, but the basic characteristics remain the same regardless of the rank of the person. I therefore just want to say that they both serve members of the JCF and are treated in this way without any distinction, ”said Chambers.