Action reportedly being taken against cop seen destroying sound system equipment

There are indications that the police have taken action against the cop seen in a viral social media video destroying musical equipment at a party.

The incident happened at a street dance in an area known as 33 Lane, located off Waltham Park Road, in St Andrew, last Sunday, the police have disclosed.

“Details of the actions taken will be shared shortly,” a police source told The Gleaner on Wednesday.

The video shows the policeman, believed to be a corporal, walking over to a stand housing the musical equipment and using his foot to kick it over. He then uses his hand to toss another piece of equipment that was nearby.

The actions of the policeman triggered angry reactions from social media users, who say it will further erode trust between the police and citizens.

“This police officer think he is God almighty and is so powerful…kick over the sound [name redacted] equipment…damage it and destroying property just because him tell them lock off and dem don’t lock off,” one user charged.

“You feel that you as a police officer must do as you wish and please to citizens and you same one want information from citizens to lock up criminals. It nuh go so,” the user added, demanding a full investigation into the cop’s conduct.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), the agency established to probe misconduct by the security forces, acknowledged that it is aware of the video and is concerned about the actions of the policeman.

It said no one has come forward to make a complaint and appealed to the person who recorded the video as well as those who were affected to contact its New Kingston office.

In the meantime, the People's National party (PNP), in a public statement on Wednesday, called for urgent attention to ensuring mutual respect and regard between the police and the entertainment community, especially event promoters and sound system owners and operators.

The statement was issued by Dr Deborah Hickling Gordon, Opposition Spokesperson on Culture and Creative Industries, who cited the viral video.

“The damage to equipment that was witnessed in that video is unacceptable, and if verified, it demands serious action from the Police High Command,” said Hickling Gordon.

She said it was not just a case of property damage because it affects the perceptions and the reality of long-standing tension between the authorities and some cultural and creative practitioners, in particular sound system owners and event promoters.

Hickling Gordon noted that the rule of law must be upheld and that the police have legitimate cause for concern in many instances.

However, she said “enforcement must never be executed in a manner that appears excessive, vindictive or a disrespectful abuse of power to those who work within the creative industries”.

“Similarly, promoters and sound system operators must ensure that they adhere to the rule of law, including agreed shutdown times and decibel levels.”

Hickling Gordon called for Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake to launch a transparent investigation and to clarify the protocols governing police interaction with public entertainment events.

- Livern Barrett

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.