Buchanan condemns alleged police assault video; lawyer held in court; two women die in crashes

Opposition spokesperson on youth and human rights Isaac Buchanan, the Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, has condemned what he called another troubling case of alleged police brutality after a social media video circulated that appears to show officers assaulting a Toyota Coaster bus driver and another man and damaging their property.

Buchanan said that if the footage is accurate, it raises serious questions about the use of force by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He noted that the clip follows other recent videos that have fuelled public unease about police conduct. Citing the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, he argued that stops by law enforcement do not suspend citizens’ rights to life, liberty, security of the person, protection from arbitrary treatment, and protection of property.

He urged relevant state authorities to carry out an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, and called on the Commissioner of Police and JCF leadership to explain what happened and outline steps to stop similar incidents. “Accountability strengthens policing. It does not weaken it,” he said, adding that respect for human rights is central to effective law enforcement.

In St. Catherine, attorney Denise Walker was taken into custody on Friday during a sitting of the St. Catherine Parish Court after an outburst over a case set for mediation. Walker objected that the complainant was absent and that the dispute involved siblings, pressing for the matter to be heard at once. Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gale warned that her behaviour was bordering on contempt and ordered her to leave. Walker returned and insisted she was appearing for her client; the judge then asked police to take her into custody. Officers restrained her outside, brought her back in, and escorted her to the holding cells. While being taken to lockup she said, “God, send down fire. Come burn down this.” The judge directed another lawyer to take over the matter. Walker was later released with a warning, apologised, and colleagues thanked the judge for the decision.

Two women died in separate crashes on Thursday night. Donnie Thomas, 28, of Iberia, Manchester, allegedly jumped from a moving 1927 Honda Civic along the PJ Patterson Highway near a toll booth in St. Catherine at about 8:20 p.m.; Ferry Police are investigating. Hours later, Anmarie Robinson of Stony Hill, St. Andrew, a passenger in a 2019 Toyota Hiace, was fatally injured when the Hiace collided with a 2019 Honda CR-V along Old Stony Hill Road at Long Lane in Constant Spring at about 11:50 p.m. Constant Spring Traffic is investigating.

Also in St. Catherine Parish Court, Gillin Steel pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving without a licence, driving without insurance, riding a motorcycle without a helmet, and attempting to bribe a police officer. He was fined $30,000 or 10 days, $20,000 or 14 days, $8,000 or three days, and $100,000 respectively—nearly $160,000 in total—and given until July 24 to pay. Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Lane heard that officers on traffic duty near Green Acres Police Station stopped Steel without a helmet, found he lacked a valid licence and insurance, and that he allegedly offered an officer $3,000 to avoid prosecution. He appeared without a lawyer and said he thought a learner’s permit was enough; the court said it was not.

At a higher education leadership conference in Hanover on Thursday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Kasan Troop said the government is developing strategies to counter teacher migration. One approach, she said, is attracting more international students to Jamaica’s teachers’ colleges to boost enrolment and revenue while exporting the colleges’ strengths through global partnerships.

In Montego Bay, Detective Sergeant Ricardo Clark, sub-officer in charge of Barnett Street Police Station, said a morning operation using technology for traffic enforcement and warrant checks produced more than 70 tickets and other arrests. He urged summer visitors to obey the law and cooperate with police.