Taxi operators protest alleged police beating of cabbie in Mandeville
Published:Monday | February 3, 2014 | 5:42 PM
MANCHESTER, Jamaica:
Taxi operators and park workers this morning staged a protest in Mandeville, after witnessing what they called a brutal attack on a colleague by the police.
This morning, Michael Frater, who plies the Santa Cruz to Mandeville route, was reportedly approached by two policemen, who gave him a traffic ticket and served a summons on him.
According to one eyewitness, the documents fell to the ground and the policemen then asked Frater to step from his vehicle.
A minor struggle reportedly ensued between the police personnel and Frater.
The eyewitness said the cops used a baton to beat the taxi driver and used pepper spray on him several times.
The witness claims the policemen may have a vendetta against the taxi man as Frater currently has a matter in court with one of their colleagues.
The head of the Manchester Police Division, Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, said the taxi-man was taken into custody for breaching the Road Traffic Act and failing to comply with the anti-litter law.
He said Frater was confronted by the police who had to use pepper spray and batons to control him.
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