Police, PCA to probe arrest in Queen's Park Savannah incident

BOTH the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) are investigating reports of excessive force odrf by police after a video of officers kicking a man at the Queen's Park Savannah went viral on Thursday.

Public information officer ASP Sheridon Hill told Newsday six officers assigned to the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) are the subject of investigations by the PSB.

Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) David West also said the authority was  investigating.

“The PCA has noted the contents of the video and will launch an investigation to determine whether or not there was an abuse of the Police Use of Force Policy.

"Anyone having information related to this incident is kindly asked to contact the PCA via our e-mail: info@pca.org.tt, Facebook page, or telephone number 226-4722.”

A 19-second video showed police engaging two men who they initially claimed were suspects in several break-ins of parked vehicles at the event at the Savannah on Wednesday night.

The video showed officers using pepper spray on the men. One man was pepper-sprayed, kicked in the leg as he rubbed his eyes, body-slammed and kicked twice in the head while on the ground.

Another man was choked as he scuffled with police and was eventually subdued. He was seen on the ground rubbing his eyes.

Police reported that sometime between 6.45 am and 7.30 am, two officers stopped a Morvant man, who is a member of the  Defence Force, at the entrance to the party at the Savannah.

While speaking with the man, who was trying to enter with his electronic ticket, he became aggressive. The IATF officers were called and another man, a friend of the soldier, ran towards the officers and kicked one of them. Police said the attacker also spat in the face of a police officer.

Both men were subdued and taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital for treatment. While there, the soldier allegedly escaped.

A medical certificate was obtained for the other man and three constables. The other man was taken to the St Clair Police Station, where he is expected to be charged with assaulting police officers and resisting arrest.

Police said the man appeared intoxicated.

Head of the IATF Supt Oswald Subero referred all questions to the police’s communications department.