Sister wants police officers to stop threatening brother’s life

The family members of Duran Gerard, who was arrested on Saturday, June 18 in South Rivers for illegal firearm and ammunition possession, are asking the members of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the police to stop harassing him.

Masika Gerard, Duran’s sister, alleges that a member of the RRU threatened her brother’s life last week.{{more}}

After Duran’s arrest back in June, he was hospitalized and claims that certain members of RRU beat him, causing him to remain in the hospital for about three days.

Last Thursday, July 21, Masika said that her brother, who was appearing in court to answer charges of illegal firearm and ammunition possession, was given a death threat by an RRU officer.

“While Duran was inside the courtroom waiting for his case to call he saw … [an] officer speaking to another officer ….

“That officer lift up his shirt and showed him (Duran) a gun and using his fingers as the sign that he would shoot him,” said Masika.

The angry woman said that when her brother came out, he reported to his family members what had happened and they told his lawyer Grant Connell.

Their conversation was overheard by another RRU officer, who asked if the family thought that Connell could physically beat them.

“I asked the officer if his job is to serve and protect or serve and create violence. Duran said he is really scared about these officers, because they almost beat him to death; now they are threatening his life,” said Masika, who stressed that Connell is expected to raise the matter in court on September 6, during Duran’s next court appearance.

The matter was not reported to the Public Relations Department of the police.(LC)