Heat on 6 cops
April 07, 2008
MONTEGO BAY, St James - Four policemen were last Friday taken before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court to answer three separate charges of robbery and kidnapping.
The following day, one of two Hanover cops accused of taking a $50,000 bribe from an alleged drug pusher to "compromise" a case against him was taken into custody. The other policeman is being sought by his colleagues.
The cases come as the police force steps up its drive to rid its ranks of corrupt cops who are being targeted by a unit headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice.
Yesterday, the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police information arm, reported that around 2:00 pm the two constables went to a home in Green Island, Hanover where they informed the occupant that he was wanted for breaches of the Dangerous Drug Act.
While transporting the man to the police station, the cops allegedly demanded $200,000 "to compromise the case", according to the CCN. The cops then took the man back to his home where he allegedly gave them $50,000.
The CCN did not name the policemen but said that the constable was held after the man spotted him at the Lucea Police Station where he had gone to report the cops around 7:00 pm.
A file is now being prepared to be sent to the director of public prosecutions for a ruling.
On Friday in the Montego Bay RM Court, the four policemen - constables Maurice Taylor, Anthony Harris, Itrea Shuriah and Omar Gordon were remanded in custody.
Constable Taylor has been charged with robbery; constables Harris and Itrea Shuriah, as well as a civilian, Gavin McNeil, are facing robbery with aggravation charges; while Constable Gordon is facing charges of conspiracy to kidnap and breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act.
Senior Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry, who presided over all three cases, said that it was "always sad when I have police officers in front of me. You are sworn to protect and serve the citizens of the country but you were not doing that, you were robbing the general public".
The magistrate made the comment as she denied bail applications on behalf of Harris and Shuriah. The prosecution had strenuously opposed bail and the judge commented that it was "not usual for the prosecution to object to bail in these cases".
Taylor is charged with robbing his friend, Rohan Williams, of $140,000.
Defence attorney Sheron Barnes had made a no-case submission on the basis that essential elements of the case against her client had not been proved and parts of the statement were unreliable.
She told the court that the evidence was, at best, tenuous and vague, and that there was an issue of credibility as well.
RM Henry, however, ruled that Taylor did have a case to answer.
The cop, who was last stationed in Runaway Bay, is accused of stealing the money his friend had wanted to use to buy a motor vehicle.
The court was told that both Williams and Constable Taylor had travelled in a car to a bar in Greenwood, near the border of Trelawny and St James. The money was discovered missing from the car after which Taylor drove away with another cop.
The clerk of the court said that despite being a serving member of the police force, Taylor made no effort to start an investigation after his friend had reported his money missing.
Taylor's case will continue on April 10....
Author: Paul A Reid
Source: Jamaica Observer
