Dear Claudienne,

I live in the Kingston 11 area. On March 23, 2020, my property was damaged by the police under the supervision of a deputy superintendent. The police forced the grill at my house open and damaged it. They also cut open the lock on the entrance door and broke the dresser mirror that was behind the door. They destroyed a total of four doors at my house.

Prior to the police entering and damaging my house, my neighbour had informed them that I lived alone as my husband had passed on. The police claimed that a gunman was in my house, but they got wrong information. When I went to the Olympic Gardens police station to inform them of the damage to my property they told me to go to the Denham Town Police Station. They gave me a number to call but nobody answered the number.

I need your help as I would like to know how to get the money for the items that were damaged. When the police damaged my property I was an essential worker but I went on retirement leave in September 2020.

I would like to know how to get the money for the items that were damaged.

JF

Dear JF,

Tell Claudienne was in communication with the police regarding your claim, for over a year to no avail. On May 30, 2022 , extracts from an e-mail the column sent to the commissioner of police stated the following:

“On June 2, 2021 JF visited the Commissioner’s Office and gave a statement. The I Prob Unit headed by Assistant Commissioner…and Inspector…have also been made aware of JF’s complaint. JF said that she has sent pictures of the damaged items to the police but has got no response.”

In the latter half of 2022, the I Prob Unit assigned your complaint to an inspector.

The inspector who has been in contact with you on the matter completed his investigation in November 2023.

On January 8, 2024, the I Prob Unit advised that you would be notified by letter of the result of the police investigation of your claim.

Tell Claudienne notes that you collected a letter from the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau at the Probe Unit office downtown Kingston on January 10, 2024. The letter stated the following:

“On conclusion of the investigation it was recommended that the file be closed.

No disciplinary breaches were detected. However, you are advised to take civil action if you wish to do so.”

Please seek advise from the Kingston Legal Aid Clinic on 121 Tower Street, Kingston re legal action you can take.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility company? Telephone 876- 936-9346 or Cell # 876 484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail:edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.