Intelligence Unit cop linked to Pathways church reassigned
Published:Friday | October 22, 2021 | 12:12 AM
A policeman attached to the National Intelligence Unit (NIB) Area One Division has been reassigned owing to his membership in the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries.
The police inspector and his wife, a teacher, and their children were baptised by Kevin O. Smith, who has been accused of occult practices at his Paradise, Montego Bay, church which was the scene of a double murder and police shooting amid a bizarre ark ritual.
The cop’s wife was a senior member of the congregation and so was his eldest son.
It is not clear how involved the lawman was in the church’s operations, but a number of photos of himself and his wife, who teaches at an early-childhood institution, have been circulated on social media.
They were seated in the church on one occasion next to Smith.
Other members of the security forces have been confirmed as members of the church, with one policewoman among the group of congregants who witnessed the death of three members and the injuries of others on Sunday night.
The policewoman was stationed at Matilda’s Corner in Kingston. Information about her whereabouts since her arrest remains sketchy.
The pastor and 10 other men from the church remain in custody.
In the meantime, Chief Parish Judge Sasha Ashley has ordered that charges be laid against nine of the men – not including Smith and Andre Ruddock - or that they be released by 10 a.m. Friday.
The women were given station bail on Tuesday and will appear in court next Wednesday to answer to Disaster Risk Management Act charges. Smith and his congregants are being represented by attorney-at-law Valerie Neita-Robertson, QC.
At least one Jamaica Defence Force officer is reportedly a member of the church, which also has on its roll bankers, nurses, hotel workers, and tax-compliance officers.