Cop accused of soliciting $7,000 from motorist charged
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A policeman assigned to the Motorized Patrol Division (MPD) has been arrested and charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act, 2000, after he was accused of soliciting $7,000 from a motorist.
The Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) in a report said Constable Chantel Stephenson and another policeman were reportedly on duty along the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway on Tuesday May 2, 2017 when they signalled the complainant to stop.
According to MOCA, the motorist complied, exited the vehicle and the motor vehicle documents were handed over to Stephenson, who observed that the Registration of Fitness had expired.
It is said that the constable proceeded to tell the complainant that he would be arrested and charged and the vehicle seized.
The complainant reportedly pleaded with the constable for leniency and it was at this time that Stephenson allegedly solicited $20,000 and later accepted $7,000, MOCA stated.
A report was subsequently made to MOCA and a file prepared and submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who ruled that Stephenson be charged with breaches of the
Corruption Prevention Act 2000. The accused was arrested on Monday, June 11.
He was offered bail when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court and is to return to court on July 13, 2018.
