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Cop submits sick leave, but remains on the run

Published:Monday | June 18, 2018 | 12:00 AMHopeton Bucknor/ Gleaner Writer
Homer Davis

Western Bureau:

A police corporal who allegedly breached the Corruption Prevention Act last Thursday and successfully eluded personnel from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) has reportedly submitted an application for sick leave, although he remains on the run.

The policeman, whose identity has been withheld, and two colleagues who are now under house arrest at the Freeport Police Station in Montego Bay, reportedly extorted a sum of money from a Chinese businessman. But when they returned to collect the remaining portion, they were busted in a MOCA sting operation.

Last Thursday morning, the three policemen reportedly went to a business place operated by a Chinese national at the intersection of Corinaldi Avenue and Hart Street in Montego Bay. They allegedly told the business operator that they had discovered certain irregularities and threatened to arrest him.

The policemen reportedly entered into an arrangement with the businessman to pay them a particular sum of money to avoid being arrested and charged. The businessman reportedly gave them a part of the money and told them to return later in the day for the remaining amount.

After the police left, the businessman reportedly made checks about the legality of the policemen's action and formed the opinion that he was conned. He subsequently made a report to the police and the matter was turned over to MOCA West.

Later in the afternoon, the three officers allegedly returned to the business establishment with the expectation of collecting the remainder of the money. The two constables reportedly went into the business place while the corporal remained outside in the service vehicle.

 

TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

 

On entering the building, the two constables were reportedly accosted by the MOCA team, who immediately took them into custody. Realising what was happening, the corporal reportedly exited the service vehicle and fled on foot, with the MOCA team giving chase. However, he made good his escape.

With reports swirling that the policemen in question had claimed to be acting on behalf of the St James Municipal Corporation, mayor of Montego Bay, Homer Davis, released a statement, distancing the corporation from the incident.

"The St James Municipal Corporation wishes to state categorically that it has a structured system in place through which funds are paid and collected. All monies owing to the corporation are paid directly to the accounts department and the necessary records created and receipts issued," said Davis. "The St James Municipal Corporation has never hired anyone to collect on its behalf as that remains an internal operation."