We can’t investigate without report, INDECOM says after video shows cop slapping man in face
The Independent Commission of Investigations said it has forwarded to the Jamaica Constabulary Force a video of an incident in which a policeman slapped and later arrested a man on Tuesday.
The incident reportedly happened in Portmore, St Catherine, a video of which has gone viral on social media.
Hamish Campbell, INDECOM’s assistant commissioner, told OBSERVER ONLINE that his department could not probe the incident unless a formal report was made to the body.
“We have not received a complaint by the man who was struck by the officer so cannot do an investigation,” Campbell shared. “But we have notified the JCF and asked them to address the matter.”
In the video, three policemen were seen talking to two men standing on either side of a motorcar. The conversation was not audible, but one of the men was heard shouting at one of the cops who was in front of him.
Another policeman walked between them and slapped the man in his face. The third cop tried to go between the man and his colleague. The first policeman, who was shouted at, went for his firearm but did not pull it and eventually went to assist his colleagues.
While this happened, onlookers, including the man who seemed to be doing the recording, started cursing at the policemen. Several indecent words were uttered by the onlookers.
The policemen managed to get the man on the ground, and at least one man in civilian clothing went to the officers to speak with them as a crowd gathered. The video ended as the cops were handcuffing the two men.