COP denies allegation of abuse

The Commissioner of Police (COP), Colin John, has denied that he tightened a plastic bag over the head of a cop who was taken into custody during the investigation of the burglary of the armoury at the Georgetown police station.

John appeared as a witness at the Calliaqua Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, August 30 for the continuation of the trial that is looking into the burglary and corruption allegations against former police constable and defendant, Zackrie Latham.

Latham’s lawyer, Grant Connell, questioned the Commissioner at length.

Early on in his questioning of the witness the lawyer asked the top cop why Latham was dismissed from the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

“..Based on the discretion of the Commissioner of Police his behaviour fell below the standard of an efficient police officer,” John replied.

Asked specifically what behaviour this was, the Commissioner said that it was his “general behaviour”. He said that Latham was not fitting in terms of his character.

Later in his line of questioning the lawyer asked the Commissioner about June 19, 2021.

He asked whether the COP was at the Central Police Station on this date.

“It may very well be, that’s my workplace so, it may very well be,” John responded.

The counsel then asked the witness if he was in the habit of playing Dominos at the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) on Friday, and he confirmed this to be so.

Asked what time, John said “after work hours” depending on how he feels at the time and his schedule.

Next, the lawyer asked about the presence of security cameras at the MCU.

“For security reasons I am not too sure I should answer that,” the Commissioner said.

However, he agreed that Latham was taken to the MCU by the investigator, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Oswin Elgin Richards.
Connell asked if Richards acknowledged the “presence of his superior”.

“Well he came and reported to me if that’s what you’re trying to ask counsel,” John said.

The COP said he received the report and carried on with what he was doing.

“I want to suggest to you that you attacked this young man.” the defence asserted.

“I did not attack anyone your honour,” was the reply, directed to presiding Magistrate, Zoila Ellis-Browne.

“And that you told him he had to talk?” Connell continued.

“I had no conversation with this young man,’ John responded.

“I’m suggesting to you that you, along with other officers, abused this young man,” the lawyer also said.

The COP’s reply was that he did not abuse Latham.

Connell then put a series of statements to the witness.

“He was slapped”, “That caused injury to his ear”, “He was hit in his chest, causing tenderness”, Connell said.

To each of these, John indicated that he had no knowledge of it.

“I want to suggest to you that your interaction with him was when you pulled out a black plastic bag, placed it over his head, squeezed until he could not breathe,” the lawyer said while seemingly emphasizing this by using a plastic bag in court.

However, John maintained he had no interaction with Latham.

It was agreed that Latham was likely wearing handcuffs when he was at the MCU.

“I will further suggest to you, Colin John, that when you placed this over his head and you pulled it tight. He started to struggle, he had to use his hands that were handcuffed, and burst a hole in the plastic to breathe. I am putting that to you,” Connell said.

“And then when he was able to breathe, you twisted the bag again and pulled it tight over his head. I’m putting that to you.”

“That’s an act of savagery. I’m suggesting that to you. That’s an act of savagery. Do you agree? The act itself. Not you. That act. Would you agree that placing a plastic bag over your head, a human being, pulling it tight because you can’t breathe could potentially kill that person?” the attorney queried.

John denied the allegations.

At another point the lawyer also asked the Commissioner whether he knew Latham was taken to the hospital, that he had injuries to the chest and a substance oozing from his ear.

John said he did not know.

The lawyer asked if the witness knew where the investigator took Latham after the report was made to him.

John said that Richards had left with Latham, and that’s all he knows.

“I think he’s a very competent investigator I didn’t have to further intervene,” John stated.

“I am just asking a simple question, did you see officer Richards take this young man into a room?” the lawyer asked.

The Commissioner said he could not recall.

Also testifying on Tuesday was a medical doctor who examined Latham on June 20, 2021, and testified to a 1cm bruise to the face, tenderness of the chest on palpitations, and a secretion from the ear.

While Latham originally faced a host of charges stemming from the burglary, many were thrown out on a no case submission from his attorney.

However, he still has to answer to charges that between January 31 and April 1, 2021 at Georgetown, he entered the armoury as a trespasser and stole one box containing 50 rounds of .40mm ammunition valued at $250, the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Further that between the same dates he stole three boxes of .40mm ammunition valued at EC$750.

Latham is also accused that between January 31 and June 17, 2021, being employed in the Government Service as a member of the RSVGPF, and being charged with the performance of duties by virtue of his employment, he corruptly received property for himself on account of an action done by him in discharge of the duties of his office.

There is prosecution evidence that the defendant admitted to the police the charges of burglary of ammunition.