The Police High Command has directed the Inspectorate of Constabulary (IOC) to investigate a video being circulated on social media showing members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in an altercation with members of the public.
The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday in the Cross Roads area in St. Andrew.
The High Command is asking persons who witnessed the incident and those involved to contact the IOC at 906-5325 or 754-8217. The maker of the video is also being urged to get in touch with the IOC to help facilitate the investigation.
The JCF says it is committed to delivering professional service to the public. It is also reminding citizens of their rights and responsibilities when stopped or being apprehended by the Police under the Code of Conduct for Police-Citizen Relations.
Meanwhile, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) is calling for the High Command and INDECOM to launch an immediate investigation into reports of an unprovoked assault by the police on newspaper photographer Rudolph Brown during Tuesday's incident.
The PAJ says Mr. Brown reported that while in Cross Roads, he witnessed a commotion apparently caused by attempts by the police to arrest a man. It says Mr. Brown started to use his phone to record the incident.
The PAJ says after being told by the police sergeant on location to stop, Mr. Brown clearly identified himself as a member of the media, both verbally and by showing his company ID card.
According to the PAJ, Mr. Brown said he continued to record the proceedings and heard the police sergeant telling a constable to pepper spray him. The constable reportedly pepper sprayed him in his eyes causing severe pain and distress.
The PAJ says it condemns this blatant abuse of force by the police and calls for an immediate investigation and response by the Police High Command and INDECOM.
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