West Kingston Enquiry: Police Sergeant acted as transporter of dead, and injured

A police Sergeant today gave evidence before the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry that appears to contradict the testimony of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) ground commander for the May 2010 operation in Tivoli Gardens.

Sergeant Steve Waugh testified that prior to the start of the operation on May 24, 2010 he was never informed that his duty was to retrieve persons killed or injured and transport them to the Kingston Public Hospital.

However, Waugh said once the operation got underway he was one of the designated drivers who transported police and military personnel and the bodies of at least 12 persons that were collected throughout the west Kingston community.

"And to be clear an armoured ambulance was never a part of your contingent," asked attorney-at-law Gillian Burgess, who is representing the Office of the Public Defender.

"No ma'am," he replied.

Seeking to explain the JCF's efforts to remove injured and deceased persons from the area of operation, Assistant Commissioner Donovan Graham testified earlier this year that there were teams with two units from the Mobile Reserve that were given this task and these teams were headed by Waugh.