Hanover cop accused of raping a minor - Another officer under probe in separate incident in Kingston

Western Bureau:

A Hanover-based police constable was taken into custody yesterday following allegations that on Wednesday night, he raped a 15-year-old girl, who was being held in protective custody at the Hanover Police Headquarters in Lucea.

Detectives attached to the Centre for the Investigations of Sexual Offences (CISOCA) and the Inspectorate of Constabulary have launched separate investigations into the allegations.

“It is a serious matter, and it is being treated seriously,” a senior police officer told The Gleaner yesterday.

Yesterday, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s communications arm said two cops were being investigated for alleged sexual offences in two separate incidents, which reportedly took place this week.

The other incident took place in Kingston, and both accused were scheduled to be interviewed by CISOCA detectives yesterday.

The Hanover police said that the child in the alleged incident in that parish was taken to the Lucea Family Court on Wednesday in relation to complaints from her mother that she was proving difficult to control. The presiding judge reportedly ordered that she be remanded, pending an evaluation, which was scheduled for the following morning in Kingston.

Late Wednesday night, the accused cop reportedly went to the holding area at the Hanover Police Headquarters, where the child was being held for the night, and sexually assaulted her.

On Thursday morning, the child made a report to an officer, and the matter was referred to CISOCA and the Inspectorate of Constabulary.

The child currently has another sexual offence matter before the courts as she had also reported that her stepfather had raped her. The stepfather is said to be in custody awaiting his day in court.