Hanover cop accused of molesting 14-y-o pointed out in ID parade

A Hanover police constable recently taken into custody for allegedly sexually molesting a 14-year-old girl at the Lucea police headquarters was positively pointed out during an identification parade on Wednesday.

The Gleaner was informed that the ID parade was held at the Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay, St James. The positive identification means that the officer will now be charged with rape.

A senior officer stationed in Hanover told our news team that a file was now being prepared for submission to the director of public prosecutions for a ruling.

The officer said that this and other recent incidents have highlighted the need for more rigorous screening of police recruits.

“This is another disgrace within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF),” the disgruntled senior cop told The Gleaner. “These young officers need to be screened a lot more before they are dispersed within the JCF. This particular officer is doing just over two years as an officer, and it is quite a shame that he got himself involved in such an illicit act.”

He is calling on Police Commissioner Antony Anderson to review the vetting process.

“We, as senior officers, need to break away from some of these so-called police officers who constantly put the JCF in disrepute,” the officer added. “Our police commissioner needs to put a process in place, where these officers are properly vetted and screened before we just pile them up within the force.”

Detectives attached to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Inspectorate of Constabulary had previously launched an investigation into the allegations against the accused constable, who is attached to the Lucea police headquarters.

Reports are that the 14-year-old girl was brought to the Lucea Family Court last Wednesday by her mother. She was remanded by the presiding judge, who also ordered an evaluation to be carried out on the teen.

Later that afternoon, the child was brought back from the courthouse to the Lucea police headquarters, where she was placed in a holding area.

The following morning, the child made a report to an officer at the station that during the night, the accused policeman allegedly came into the cell and had sexual intercourse with her against her will.

The incident was immediately reported to CISOCA and the Inspectorate of Constabulary.