The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) says it has launched investigations into the conduct of officers seen in a video repeatedly beating a man in handcuffs.
A version of the video seen by iWitness News had no audio, but appeared to have been recorded on Hilsboro Street, near Coreas City Store and the Central Market.
The officers repeatedly beat the man with a truncheon and their hands, tossing him about the ground, while one appeared to have unholstered his firearm even as the man remained in handcuffs throughout.
At least six people, in addition to the man, are seen in the video, and all except the man, who is the subject of the beating, appear to be plainclothes police officers.
They are standing near what appears to be a pickup truck,, and one of them is wearing a t-shirt with “SVG Police” printed on the back.
It is not clear when the video was recorded, but it was posted to social media after 10 a.m. on Thursday.
In a statement later on Thursday, the RSVGPF said it had “reviewed the videos involving police officers which are now before the nation.
“Their contents require no description from this office. The public has seen enough to expect a clear response, and that response is this: brutality, unlawful force, intimidation, humiliation, or any abuse of police authority has no place in the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force,” the statement said.
It said that the commissioner of police “condemns any conduct by an officer that falls outside the lawful and professional standards of the organisation”.
The statement said that police authority is granted to protect the public, preserve order, and enforce the law.
“It must never be used to punish, degrade, or overpower persons beyond what the law permits,” the statement said, adding that when an officer crosses that line, “the damage is national.
“It harms the person affected, weakens public trust, and stains the work of officers who serve with discipline, courage, and restraint.”
The statement said that the police chief has ordered “immediate investigations into the incidents reflected in the videos.
“Those investigations will be thorough, fair, and guided by evidence. They will consider the recordings, the surrounding circumstances, the accounts of all relevant persons, and the conduct of the officers involved.”
The constabulary asked the public to “allow that process to reach the truth.
“A video may raise serious questions, but a proper investigation must establish the full facts before final decisions are made.
“Where criminal conduct is established, the full force of the law will be applied. Where disciplinary breaches are proven, the internal process will be pursued firmly. No officer will be protected by rank, assignment, friendship, seniority, or uniform,” the statement said.
“The High Command will also examine whether these incidents reveal wider issues of supervision, training, command oversight, or operational judgment. Corrective action will be taken wherever the evidence requires it.
“The RSVGPF accepts that public confidence has been damaged. That harm cannot be reversed by words. It must be answered by truth, accountability, and visible action.
The people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are entitled to firm policing. They are also entitled to lawful policing. The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will enforce both standards,” the statement said.
So it was seen and what the Police doing about these Officers? That is a criminal Offence which is against the law they protects. They not even arrested and charged and suspended pending the outcome.
What we witnessed here is a reflection of who we are as a people and the self hate we have for our selves. If this happened in the US and it involved white cops brutalizing an unarmed black man,the protesters would be marching and crying out for justice. Funny enough, the police would be asking for an investigation in the incident and to allow justice to take it’s course. Similarly,the police high command is asking for calm and to allow an investigation to be carried out. What I’ve concluded is that we as black people treat and abuse our own black people in the same manner white cops tend to treat black suspects or offenders. No love for self. Reality.
If the police are doing this plain view in the street imagine what they are doing in the confines of a police station. This beating of people is inherited from the ULP reign and if you remember police almost beat a youth to death in the Kingstown interview room. Nothing has changed, same police, same beatings, same violent behaviour.
The biases in this article are obvious. Why is so many qualification necessary? “At least six people, … appear to be plainclothes police officers,” even as you mention the police chief condemned the action and they would be having an internal investigation.
SVG is increasingly adopting the classic American playbook: commit the offence, issue a hollow apology, and leave the damage entirely undone.”
Roslindale Ryan hit the nail on its head. We Vincies do foster a lot of hatred for each other.
Speaking about those of us in diaspora, the self-hate is even more evident.
Help us Lord.