From guard duty to jail cell
Westmoreland cop jailed after alleged contraband-smuggling attempt
Published:Tuesday | May 28, 2024 | 12:09 AMAdrian Frater/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A 22-year-old police officer, who was on cell-guard duty at the Whithorn Police Station in Westmoreland on Saturday, was removed from duty and placed in custody at the same lockup after he was allegedly caught trying to smuggle ganja and other prohibited items into the cell block.
Arrested and charged with possession of ganja is Constable Jafee Chantiloupe, who also resides in Westmoreland. He was one of three police officers on cell guard duty at the time of the incident.
“These are the type of incidents that damage the image of the police in the eyes of the public ... . You cannot be on the side of the lawful and the lawless at the same time,” a police officer told The Gleaner in the aftermath of the incident.
“Over the weekend, we seized an illegal firearm and a quantity of ammunition. That should have been the news coming out of the parish at this time, not another case of a policeman being arrested for foolishness,” the lawman added.
According to reports, about 2:40 p.m. on Saturday, Chantiloupe was reportedly seen entering the cell block with a black plastic bag, which aroused the suspicion of a corporal, who was observing his actions from some distance away.
The corporal reportedly called out to Chantiloupe and subsequently went and took the bag from him. On examining the contents, it was found to be laden with contraband.
The items reportedly found in the bag were 40 Craven A cigarettes, one transparent water bottle with a clear liquid smelling like rum, one transparent plastic bag with two packs of Lion Pride white cigarette rolling paper, three King brand lighters, one blue and white FLOW SIM card, and 10 ounces of dried vegetable matter resembling ganja.
Reports of police officers breaching protocol and taking forbidden items to incarcerated persons have surfaced repeatedly over the years. While the authorities have frowned on the practice, it has continued as police officers are reportedly handsomely paid for taking the risk.
At the Montego Bay Police Station in Freeport – which has had a long history of unethical behaviour by police officers, including being accused of helping inmates to escape custody – a police officer was arrested in January after he was also caught with contraband and cash, believed to have been source illicitly, in his possession.
According to reports, the 28-year-old constable, who was seated in his car, which was parked on the compound of the police station, was searched along with his vehicle. Thousands of dollars and some contraband were reportedly found. He was arrested and charged.