THE Complaints & Corruption Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating the conduct of two officers during an arrest of a man.
In a cell phone video circulating on social media, two police officers are seen body slamming a man to the ground and kicking him in the head.
One of the officers grabbed the man by his shirt and slammed him into the dirt which was followed by another officer kicking the man directly in his head.
Bystanders are heard in the video gasping in disbelief while officers aggressively held the man down. Many of them questioned the officers’ conduct and handling of him.
One resident screamed: “He’s already down.”
Police said the incident occurred around 10.25pm on January 24.
Police said that the suspect in question was being sought in reference to stealing a 2001 cream coloured Honda CRV from a residence on Moss Road.
Police were notified that the vehicle was stolen and sent out an All-Points Bulletin (APB).
Officers while on routine patrol spotted the vehicle, which was occupied by two males, in the area of Wilson Track off Wulff Road and attempted to stop the driver; however, he sped off, which resulted in police pursuing the vehicle.
Police were able to arrest the 40-year-old man of Toote Shop Corner, who is known to police for murder, armed robbery, stealing, drug possession and possession of a firearm.
The second man was able to escape.
In a statement last night, police acknowledged the video and said the officers are being investigated.
Comments
stillwaters 1 year, 3 months ago
I wonder why commenting is allowed here????? 90% of the commenting is blocked.
Sickened 1 year, 3 months ago
I know right! Comment quick while it's still open.
Sickened 1 year, 3 months ago
With a rap sheet like that i have to question why the guy was not in prison. Who let a murderer, armed robber, thief, drug dealer and firearm toter walk the streets. Let me guess.... our corrupt and incompetent courts??? I imagine the police knew the risks of dealing with this guy and decided to be brutal. Good for them. I wouldn't be remotely upset if they happened to shoot him as well. If the courts can't deal with these guys properly then someone has to.
stillwaters 1 year, 3 months ago
Too many criminals are out on bail for 4 or 5 different offences. How can they be allowed to be walking around free with all those bail incidents? That's why they feel and act like they are untouchable.
Alex_Charles 1 year, 3 months ago
The Judiciary is paralysed and giving everyone and they muddy bail, the legislature too busy on recess and travelling to actually change any laws, the Police too busy beating and torturing people and the public is left to fend for themselves.
Events like this are why law enforcement are supposed to have body cams, but since the previous clown COP and jokey MONS already made it clear that body cam footage is too dangerous to release to the public because Bahamians are smart enough to come to their own conclusions... this will continue.
What a broken country
stillwaters 1 year, 3 months ago
Wayne Munroe was all over the media when the previous government was in power. Always had criticism and seemed to hold all the solutions to the problems. Every issue he addressed with scathing criticism. What happened......that was all flamming....were we scammed??????
AnObserver 1 year, 3 months ago
Steal a car, get kicked in the head. Seems like a completely reasonable thing to me. Don't want the cops kicking you in the head? Don't steal a car.
IslandWarrior 1 year, 3 months ago
I guess sealing (or misappropriating) the public funds and getting 'pop' in your head is also fitting.
mandela 1 year, 3 months ago
One of the highest institutions of the land is the judiciary (courts) which sets out punishment for those breaking the law and they (courts) are not allowed to throw persons to the ground and kick them in their heads no matter what they did, the police are supposed to be peace officers, not judges, prosecutor and juror all in one, they are not there to met-out justice on anyone no matter what they did, that is the JOB for the courts and the courts' ONLY.
KapunkleUp 1 year, 3 months ago
Our legal system failures aside, police behavior like this is all too common and never punished. Whether this guy deserved it or not is beside the point. Police who get away with this behavior start to think they are above the law and start treating everyone badly.
IslandWarrior 1 year, 3 months ago
The country has been at this point for a very long time, policing by how an officer feels, who he knows or calls to direct a counter-intervention. The current system is fundamentally flawed, from the constitution to laws and acts, all flawed. Bahamian citizens are exposed to abuses and violations, with minimal rights and protection and just about no recourse unless they can afford a legal team. Even then, nothing is assured because of clicks, memberships and affiliations.
John 1 year, 3 months ago
The law requires that when a person is taking into custody, he is to be kept, not only secure but safe and no harm is to come to him whilst is custody. It is not the duty of a police officer to meet out punishment on a suspect or even on a convict with a rap sheet as long as the Paradise Island bridge, choose either one. That being said, one can understand the frustration that will eventually set in on police officers when they seem to be arresting the same suspects over and over and these suspects, who have crimes, like murder on their rap sheets. The officers face imminent danger from having to come in contact with the same dangerous convict over and over. But by the same token, police officers must be careful not to put their jobs or characters or the integrity of the police force into jeopardy or question by yielding to temptation . And the punishment to the officers can easily become more severe than to the convict.
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