The leadership of the police force has scoffed at claims that the hurried transfer of the acting crime chief from St Thomas to St Catherine was based on the instruction of a government member of parliament (MP).

"I have never and will never take instructions from any politician," declared head of the Area Five Police, Assistant Commissioner Leon Rose, yesterday.

Rose was responding to claims that the transfer of St Thomas acting crime chief, Inspector Carlos Bell, was linked to an ongoing controversy involving police personnel in the parish and West St Thomas MP, James Robertson.

The inspector was informed of the transfer on Monday, two days after police in the parish announced they would serve summonses on Robertson for allegedly committing misdemeanours during an altercation with members of a police party in Norris, St Thomas, last Saturday.

The decision by the Police High Command to transfer Bell came four months after he was congratulated by the hierarchy for the quality of his performance in the parish and was assured that he would not be transferred.

No outside influence

While not providing details on the reason for Bell's transfer, Rose was adamant that there was no outside influence.

"The fact is that Bell's transfer is temporary and not based on any directive from any politician," the veteran officer said.

Robertson was equally dismissive of the claims as he denied knowledge of the transfer of the inspector who has served St Thomas for several years.

"That claim of political interference in the transfer of a member of the force is an insult to the maturity of our nation," Robertson told The Gleaner.

"I have not played any role in the transfer of Inspector Bell," Robertson added.

The MP could soon face charges for the alleged use of abusive language to the police and obstructing the police.

He is alleged to have committed the misdemeanours during an incident in which he drove Rameish Simpson to hospital.

Simpson, who the police claim was wanted for questioning in connection with several crimes, was nursing a gunshot wound following an alleged shoot-out with the police.

While admitting that he drove the man to hospital, Robertson has claimed that this was done with the full knowledge of the Police High Command and that he was escorted by members of the police force.

Difference of opinion

Robertson has also denied the allegations that he was abusive to the police during a confrontation.

"I know Inspector Bell and we have had a difference of opinion, but never a clash, and I have not seen him for some time," Robertson said yesterday.

But police sources in St Thomas claim that there has been tension between some of Robertson's constituents and Bell since an incident in 2006.

It is alleged that the inspector seized some high-powered motorcycles in the parish, one of which, investigations later revealed, was owned by a political activist who was murdered in St Catherine, the same division in which Bell has been transferred.

The Gleaner further understands that at the time the motorcycles were seized, Bell was approached by influential persons in the constituency who wanted him to release the bikes, but he refused.

Efforts to get a comment from Bell yesterday were unsuccessful.

The Opposition People's National Party has expressed concern about the timing of the transfer of the inspector who has was the acting crime chief for the parish.