The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FAMILY and friends of 35-year-old Jamie “Dodger” Smith gathered at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday to say farewell to a man they described as “bright light” and independent spirit.

Smith died of asphyxia, an excess of carbon dioxide caused by abnormal breathing, at the Central Detective Unit on February 8, hours after police arrested him in Nassau Village.

Rodney Moncur, Justice of the Peace and Smith’s uncle, spoke on behalf of the family at the funeral, shocking the congregation by saying he believes Smith’s death was a “contract killing”.

“The story goes that he was suspected of being involved in some armed robberies and a contract was put on his head and one of the officers took it. I am getting this information from credible sources, who I have to keep private in order to protect them,” he said.

“So to all you young men out there who are doing bad things. This is what is happening, that death was a hit so before you get arrested talk to your family, go consult your attorney, so should the police come for you, your family and your friends will know what happened.”

Jamie was cremated following the ceremony.

An inquiry into his death is expected to begin on March 26.

Jamie’s death came 24 hours before that of Aaron Rolle, 20.

A pathologist report states that Rolle died from blunt force trauma and internal bleeding at the Southern Police Station.

His inquiry is expected to begin on March 19.

The officers involved in both cases are on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, last week, said he was “very, very disappointed” with comments made by “some persons who should know better” regarding the deaths of two men while in police custody.

Amid public outcry over the incidents, Mr Greenslade stressed the deaths are under the investigation of Her Majesty’s Coroner – not police, and called on the public to “allow the system to work.”

The commissioner also admitted “a number of officers” have breached the law before and the Force has received “far too many complaints” of officers “misbehaving and destroying the trust” – but he underscored that those officers who run afoul of the law are dealt with.