Cops face party probe
Service vehicles reportedly used to escort partygoers through heavy traffic for a fee
Published:Friday | August 16, 2024 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
A number of cops who reportedly collected money from partygoers to provide unauthorised escorts with service vehicles to events in St Ann during the recent holiday period are under investigation.
The Gleaner understands that the probe was initiated by acting Senior Superintendent of Police Bobbette Morgan-Simpson, who is temporarily in charge of the St Ann Police Division.
Morgan-Simpson wrote to all subofficers in charge of stations and sections in the parish about the issue on August 8.
She said the division had heavy periods of congestion during the period from Emancipation Day (August 1) to Independence Day (August 6), resulting in lengthy delays for commuters.
“One significant contributor to these delays was the number of private social events occurring along the north coast for the period. This problem was compounded by unauthorised and unethical use of service vehicles to escort patrons to events along the north coast,” read a section of the letter, a copy of which was seen by The Gleaner.
Created further congestion
The investigation was sparked after several patrol teams were observed escorting convoys of private motor vehicles to these events.
“At times, as many as 15 motor vehicles of patrons going to events were pulled out of traffic and escorted to events, creating further congestion for compliant motorists,” Morgan-Simpson outlined, adding that reports indicated that this was done for a fee.
One partygoer told The Gleaner that many people initially thought that the escort service was authorised.
“It was a talking point during the holiday weekend. Some persons were saying it was normal because it happens in Negril during the busy party seasons as well. It wasn’t anything new ... . Then somebody else said they paid money and that is when we started to say, ‘No, this can’t be legal’,” the patron said, noting that those who did not pay were stuck for hours in traffic.
The police have often issued notices to motorists about the anticipated heavy traffic in resort towns prior to the staging of parties.
In her letter, Morgan-Simpson reminded the cops of Force Order 3043, dated September 29, 2005.
“Under the heading Official Use of Service Vehicles [it] states: Police vehicles are provided for official police business and should not be used for unauthorized journeys. In no circumstance are police vehicles to be used by unauthorized persons or for other than official purposes,” she wrote.
Investigators will be using technology affixed to each service vehicle to retrace usage, and where it is revealed that the unit was engaged in these activities, disciplinary actions will be taken.
The acting commander said that, with immediate effect, no service vehicle must be used to perform escorts, except with the approval of a gazetted officer assigned to the division.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in disciplinary action being taken against the member or team involved in the unethical activity,” the letter said.
The Gleaner was unable to get an update from Morgan-Simpson on the status of the probe, as calls to her cellphone up to press time on Thursday night went unanswered.