INDECOM ARREST AND CHARGE JDF MEMBER FOR WOUNDING WITH INTENT

Dec. 15, 2015 – The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) this morning arrested and charged a member of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) in relation to the shooting injury of a teenager on April 23, 2015 in Spanish Town, St. Catherine

Private Ravaughn Scott was placed before Resident Magistrate Natalee Brooks in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate’s Court for the offence of wounding with intent contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act.

Private Scott was offered bail in the sum of $250,000.00. He is to report to the Papine Police Station on once per week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. He was also ordered to surrender all travel documents and a stop order was also placed on him at all ports of island.

He is schedule to return to court on Tuesday, March 15, 2015.

It is alleged that the teenager was shot during a joint military operation in the Oxford Road, Railway Premises. The terms of reference established for this investigation was to determine:

– the circumstances under which the teenager was shot,

– whether there is a sufficient case that any person is criminally or civilly responsible for her injuries

– all other appropriate recommendations

USE OF FORCE BY SECURITY FORCES

The use of force has been much talked about in the police force. INDECOM has been stressing thIs point a lot. Police in particular have gotten away with serious crimes due to lack of evidence to proceed with prosecutions, etc. It is almost an uphill task to convict a police/ member of the security forces.

Will follow up on this arrest and update Vision viewers./readers.

INDECOM is very concerned about the apparent use of excessive force … use of the gun to “take down” suspects …there has to be other ways. Retraining and use of less lethal weapons by police in particular has been the “culture change” INDECOM wishes to have the forces to employ. Will this ever happen soon? We will wait and see.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, senior international correspondent & photojournalist, reporting for Vision Newspaper Canada