INDECOM, JCF probe reports of cops turning persons away after curfew

Both the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have launched investigations into reports of persons being turned away from police stations during curfew hours.

The investigations were initiated after The Gleaner reported two accounts from individuals who were refused assistance by members of the force because they sought help after 9 p.m. In one case, the civilian, Christine Donaldson, alleges that the police officer threatened to arrest her after she visited the Constant Spring Police Station to report a case of domestic abuse after midnight.

In the second case, Jermaine Byfield said he was refused help at the Matilda’s Corner Police Station when he turned up there at 9:05 in the night on November 7 to report that his car was broken into.

The Government has implemented a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily curfew in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson said he has taken note of the reports and the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB) has commenced internal investigations.

“We continue to provide a 24-hour service to [the] public that can be accessed from any police station of choice. There are no orders under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) and it is not the policy of the JCF that any member of the public be turned away from any police station, even with a curfew in effect,” said Anderson.

“We continue to take steps to keep our members informed of their responsibilities especially as it relates to the DRMA, and where there are inconsistencies with what our members demonstrate and what is expected of them, we take the necessary actions, supported by thorough investigations,” the commissioner said.

INDECOM said that it has started a supervised investigation that involves the monitoring of the investigation that IPROB is doing.

“They will prepare their case report, we will review it, see what else is needed, and what other investigative steps are needed. We will also be speaking to the complainant(s) directly to get an understanding of the complaint that they have,” the police oversight body said.

INDECOM said it has already made contact with IPROB to see what the investigation has yielded so far.

Donaldson yesterday confirmed that she was contacted by IPROB, and an inspector from the Constant Spring Police Station has apologised to her. She said it was her first time going to the station which has a domestic violence intervention centre.