JAMAICAN Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas is eagerly awaiting a report from the Professional Standards Branch which has been instructed to probe the brutal beating of a 48-year-old police corporal by police personnel attached to the Mount Salem Police Station in St. James."It has to be dealt with because it is sending a bad signal. It could be me or probably one of my relatives," Commissioner Thomas told The Gleaner yesterday.
HOSPITALISED
The injured policeman, identified as Corporal Grantly Waite, is now a patient at the Kingston Public Hospital with spinal injuries and fractures to his arms.
The commissioner said he is awaiting the report before taking any action against the person(s) implicated in the incident: "Whether it is a civilian or police, they are likely to be charged criminally."
Reports are that about midnight last week Tuesday, Corporal Waite went to the barracks of the Montego Bay Police Station where he asked his colleagues for a drink of water.
It is alleged that an argument developed, during which he identified himself as a member of the police force. The corporal was then accused of impersonating a police officer.
"I am informed that there was an altercation at the barracks and subsequent to that an ambulance that was passing was summoned to give assistance to Corporal Waite, who was found on the steps of the barracks," Superintendent Warren Clarke, Commanding Officer for St. James, said.
JFJ INTERESTED
Corporal Waite is a 30-year veteran of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and is attached to the Half-Way Tree Police Station, St. Andrew. Reports are that he served most of his time in Area One, which comprise Westmoreland, Trelawny, Hanover and St. James.
At the time of the incident, Waite was enjoying his vacation leave in Green Island, Hanover. A female relative reported him missing a few days ago after he failed to return home. It is said that he suffers from epilepsy.
The case has piqued the interest of lobby group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) which intends to use it as a rallying cry to press for improvements in human rights.
In a release issued yesterday, the JFJ said it "Notes with anguish the story carried by the news media of the horrific beating of Corporal Waite..." JFJ said the government should "promptly and impartially" investigate the beating of Corporal Waite and to hold those responsible "accountable for their actions in a court of law."
