(Jamaica Observer) The Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) has urged members of the public who believe they have been subject to police excesses during this busy shopping season to file a report.
“We encourage them to walk into our offices or call our toll-free lines. They just need to come in and report it. We have the responsibility to investigate it,” assured Kahmile Reid, public relations officer at the state-run agency.
Reid’s statements followed at least one complaint by a man that he was assaulted by a policeman while shopping in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, on Friday night.
The incident reportedly occurred in Clock Tower Plaza, shortly before 8:00, the man said.
“I was in the store buying CDs and all of a sudden the (policeman) just run come inna the store from outside and chuck me inna one a the store glass. The whole glass bruck up and piece of and said that if he had made a report it would have added to a list of 14 such reports of police assault since the start of the holiday season.
“In a situation like that he ought to have reported it to INDECOM,” Reid said. “We suspect that the number of such assaults may be much larger, but, like him, many persons don’t bother to report them.”
According to Jamaican law, the police must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is about to be committed or have been committed before he can proceed to search an individual. An individual also has the right to ask why he is being searched, and for the name and badge number of the police officer.
Assistant Police Commissioner Glenmore Hinds — while declining to speak on the specific incident — said police actions are stipulated by the law of the land.
“We do have operating rules, whether it is Christmas, Easter or any other time; and any violation of the rules must be referred to the appropriate bodies,” he said. “If people’s rights are being violated they must refer it to the appropriate bodies, be it INDECOM, or internal bodies such as station commanders or divisional commanders,” he said.
It cut me pon me shoulder,” the 25-year-old, who asked not to be named, told the Jamaica Observer.
He said the policeman then told him to put his hands in the air, before dragging him outside where he proceeded to search him. At this point, the man said, the store owner — angered by the fact that the glass was broken — came outside cursing the policeman and asking him the reason for his actions.
“Me start ask him why him a deal wid me so, and him seh is a routine police search,” he continued, adding that the officer, having found nothing, then released him.
He said he then asked to see the policeman’s badge number. To this, the uniformed officer replied: “Move from yassuh yah, yute”.
“Him never show me him ID number, but the store owner gave me a pen and tell me to write off the license plate from the [service] vehicle that him did a drive. And me do it,” he said, adding that he then filed a report at the Half-Way-Tree Police Station. “I waan know if is so them expect to deal with people on the road? Just ready fi attack so.”
The matter, however, was not reported to INDECOM, the man said.
Yesterday, Reid described the man’s experience as unfortunate.
