KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) says it has not received any complaints and is currently not conducting a probe following the release of a video showing a dispute between a woman and a police officer.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the officer holding the woman by her hair while the woman holds and pulls the officer’s clothes. From the video, it appears that the officer had given the woman an order. The woman is then seen resisting attempts to get into the police vehicle.

The incident occurred on Monday, June 17, 2024.

INDECOM’s Assistant Commissioner, Hamish Campbell, told Observer Online he had seen the video but was not conducting a probe.

“I’ve seen the video, and many of us in the Commission have, and it is something which is circulating, as you say, on social media, but we’ve not received any formal complaint from the lady who’s being arrested and put in the police car,” Campbell said.

Official reports from the police said a team from the Spanish Town Police Station responded to a call from a primary school administrator requesting assistance to remove a disruptive parent from the school compound.

The police allege that despite multiple attempts by officers to engage the individual peacefully, the situation escalated, resulting in the individual’s arrest and subsequent charges, including assaulting police officers and resisting arrest.

In response to the incident, the police are reminding all members of the public of the importance of cooperating with police during any interaction, especially during an arrest.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force noted that under Section 15 of the Constabulary Force Act, the police are given the authority to arrest individuals without a warrant if they are found committing an offence or if the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an individual has committed or is about to commit an offence.

The JCF said in these circumstances, it is important to remain calm and comply with police instructions.