THE Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered that three cops implicated in a robbery and shoot-out with the St Ann police in Ocho Rios last December, be charged with the crimes.

The Constabulary Communication Network's (CCN's) metro officer for St Ann told the Observer that the three, all at the rank of constable, have been cited for robbery, shooting with intent and firearm possession.

But up to late last night, their names had not been released.
The cops were said to be stationed in Portmore at the time of their alleged robbery attempt.

A civilian, who was detained in the same incident, has also been charged with the same offences.

At around 11:30 pm on December 21, the St Ann police responded to a report that six armed men, including three dressed as cops and travelling in two motor cars, had raided a guest house in Boscobel, St Mary and were headed towards Ocho Rios.

The cars, a silver Toyota Corolla, registered 3846 ED and a white Mazda 323, registered PB 7037, were later spotted along Milford Road in Ocho Rios and signalled to stop.

However, the St Ann CCN reported that the driver of the Mazda tried to speed away, while its occupants fired at the police, resulting in a shoot-out.

"It was later discovered that two of the three people in the car had received gunshot wounds," the CCN said, adding that after treatment at the St Ann's Bay Hospital, they were released into police custody, along with four others, for questioning.

It was later established, the police said, that the men in uniform were bona-fide members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, stationed at Portmore.

The police said that two firearms taken from the Mazda motorcar were seized and sent for forensic and ballistic tests.
Head of the Bureau of Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner of Police Granville Gause, who probed the incident, submitted his findings to the DPP who ruled yesterday that the men be charged.

- gilchristc@jamaicaobserver.com

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