Four policemen charged in relation to incidents investigated by INDECOM

Two police officers are to face trial in July in separate cases, while two others had their matters resolved following mediation in relation to incidents investigated by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

The four members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force were placed before the St. Catherine Parish Court last Friday, March 20, in connection with three incidents.

They are District Constable Sean McKenzie, Corporal Michael Anderson and Constables Paul Banbury and Jason Hunter.

INDECOM says District Constable McKenzie was charged in relation to a November 6, 2023, incident along the Port Henderson main road in St. Catherine, where he allegedly discharged his firearm.

The allegation is that the police officer discharged his firearm at a vehicle, being driven by the complainant, while the complainant was overtaking traffic.

INDECOM says the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ruled that he should be charged with the offence of discharge of a firearm contrary to the Firearms Act.

The ODPP also recommended that disciplinary action be initiated against District Constable McKenzie by the JCF.

District Constable McKenzie was bound over, and the matter is set for trial to begin on July 9.

Meanwhile, Corporal Anderson’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 13. He was charged in relation to a July 30, 2024, assault incident at the Spanish Town police station lock-up. The ODPP ruled that he should be charged with assault.

The allegation is that the complainant was hit in the neck while handcuffed in police custody. INDECOM says this was corroborated by CCTV footage.

Constables Paul Banbury and Jason Hunter were charged in relation to an October 17, 2024, assault incident of a male civilian in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.

Following an investigation by INDECOM, the ODPP ruled that both officers should be charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The allegation is that the complainant was hit in multiple areas of his body by the police officers. Medical evidence indicated injury to the complainant’s thumb, jawbone and ribs. An INDECOM statement says that following mediation, Constables Banbury and Hunter agreed to pay the complainant a sum of $255,000 by September.

Since January 2024, 60 law enforcement officers have been charged in relation to incidents investigated by INDECOM.

Of that total, four JCF police officers and one correctional officer were charged this year.