A policeman has been suspended from duties following reports that he was caught taking food containing two cell phones to a prisoner in the lock up at the Ocho Rios police station.
Reports to The Times are that the cop was suspended following a ruling from the DPP that the matter be handled administratively (or internally) by police.
It is reported that the cop was held on Sunday afternoon, November 22, on allegations that he tried to smuggle two cell phones to a prisoner in lock up there. It is reported that a newly recruited police officer saw the well known cop, his senior, taking the meal in to a prisoner and stopped him. The meal was searched and the contraband found.The man to whom the food was being taken is from St Mary Country Club and was on a fraud charge.Police sources say there is a procedure for taking in meals and that it includes handing over what is coming from the public to a guard room officer who should check it. In this case the check process was said to have been bypassed.
Police sources said they found two cellphones and several nails in the meal for the prisoner. “You know what even one nail in lock up can do in hurting someone and chipping down the wall?” A cop asked, when The Times queried the inclusion of nails.
The cop was in custody while the DPP was sent a file for advice on whether criminal charges should be brought against him. Police sources said senior officers came from headquarters to be part of the interviewing process and further steps are to be taken.
Supt Wayne Cameron confirmed the cop was suspended without pay and that he has requested a tribunal be set up to investigate the matter.
