MOCA arrest senior cop in St Mary

Western Bureau:

A senior policewoman was arrested and charged yesterday with obtaining money by false pretence and fraudulent conversion, by detectives assigned to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA).

Arrested and charged is Deputy Superintendent of Police Denise McKain of the St Mary Police Division, who was taken into custody at the Port Maria Resident Magistrate's Court after making an appearance there yesterday.

It is alleged that during the period 2009 to 2012, McKain used an unregistered organisation to fraudulently solicit and obtain money from farmers of the Three Hills farming district, also in St Mary.

Following checks made by members of the community, the alleged activities of McKain were found to be illegitimate. A report was subsequently made to the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and an investigation was launched.

investigations continued

At the completion of the investigation, a file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a ruling. The DPP recently ruled that the officer be arrested and charged.

When McKain appeared in court yesterday, she was offered bail in the sum of $250,000 with one or two sureties. She is slated to reappear in the same court on Wednesday, October 28, when the case against her will continue. In the meantime, MOCA is continuing its investigation into the matter.

"We wish to remind members of the public who have any information that could assist the investigators, to call MOCA," said Corporal Kevin Watson, MOCA's liaison officer. "You can call at 906-5848 or 275-5903, or 1-800-CORRUPT, or contact the organisation by email at info@mocagov.jm."

The arrest of McKain is considered a black eye on the JCF, as it is unusual for officers reaching that rank to be charged with such offences.