Barbaric! - cops arrested for killing unarmed man

Shocking video shows residents cheering on cops

Sunday, August 01, 2010

OCHO RIOS, St Ann – A shocking scene caught on video and showing citizens

cheering on three cops who were later arrested for beating and shooting a man to death, has drawn outrage.

Public Defender Earl Witter yesterday shouted “barbarism!” and the Police Federation hurled “abominable” at the cops who received an open show of support from residents of Buckfield in St Ann, for Thursday night's killing of Ian 'Ching Sing' Lloyd.

Minister of National Security Senator Dwight Nelson reacted with "disappointment and sorrow" at the news that an unarmed man was beaten and shot to death by a police party after he was subdued.

A private citizen videotaped the scene in which the cops rained blows on the man as he lay defenceless on the ground.

"Lethal force is a last resort. Was that a last resort? What patently the videography appears to portray is barbarism of the first and worst kind, and ironically, the support for it which appears to have come from citizens represents their endorsement of barbarism," Witter said.

In the video released to the news media, the police were heard getting verbal backing from onlookers who clamoured for the man to face vigilante justice.

The arrest of the officers, ordered by Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, who was also outraged, sparked a short-lived protest outside the police station in Ocho Rios where the lawmen were being held yesterday.

A group of about 25 residents who said they were against the arrest of the policemen, converged on the gates of the police station calling for the cops to be released.

"Where was the BSI when 'Ching Sing' a stab up and a bruk down people shops and homes? The video only show a little part a what go on. Why dem never video how him attack the woman and stab her up and how him mek after other people," said an angry man, who claimed he narrowly escaped the wrath of 'Ching Sing'.

The police said they went to apprehend Lloyd after he reportedly attacked Lovida Wilson with a knife, stabbing her multiple times in the neck, in her yard at Old Buckfield. She died on the spot. He reportedly attacked two other persons, injuring one of them.

"The man mek after me, too, after him stab up the woman and me have to jump a wall and cut up the whole a me foot. A whole heap a wrongs that youth do and the only time we have little peace ah when him deh a prison."

Residents said 'Ching Sing' had only returned from prison about two weeks ago after being convicted on house breaking and larceny charges. He was imprisoned for 18 months. They claim on several occasions 'Ching Sing' was caught red-handed breaking into people's houses and businesses.

"A lot a time he broke into shops in the market; he was no saint. It's just unfortunate that the police shoot him that way, still, but a whole heap a people him mek suffer and if the police never shoot him, he woulda stab them up and all kill one a them," a woman, who claimed she was on the scene, told the Sunday Observer.

Residents claim the man had stabbed at the police several times with a piece of broken bottle he had in his hand. They said he was shot after he threw the bottle at the police.

But, despite the claims by the residents and support for the police, the dead man's sister Opal believes her brother should have had his day in court. She claimed the police had always been after him and that he was shot once before in his leg by cops.

"Regardless of what he did, yes, me admit that him shouldn't stab up the woman and kill her, but the police dem wicked too. Dem should carry him in and make the law decide; if him fi go a prison and dead in prison, make him go prison and dead there, don't kill him."

Opal said her family was traumatised by the video footage which showed the inhumane manner in which their relative was dealt with by the police.

Public Defender Witter said the incident brought into sharp focus the abuse of the Constabulary's use of force and use of firearms policy. He said his office had requested a copy of the video footage from the police as it intends to launch a probe into the incident.

Witter also made it clear that despite the revealing footage the cops involved should be treated fairly.

"They are not to be condemned by public opinion or talk show hosts or people on their verandahs. They must be given their day in court, which ironically, the dead man wasn't," he said.

Head of the Police Federation Sergeant Raymond Wilson also hit out at the actions of his colleagues, describing them as "abominable".

"Speedy actions must be taken to deal with the officers whose actions have undermined and crippled the institution of the Jamaica Constabulary Force," Wilson said in a release yesterday. "Members who engage in such acts against humanity will not be sheltered by the Police Federation."

Meanwhile, executive director for Jamaicans for Justice, Carolyn Gomes, said she was not surprised at the behaviour of the police and said the incident demonstrated the level of brutality by the security forces that her group had been highlighting for the past 11 years.

And the National Democratic Movement, in a release, commended what it said was the quick and decisive action of the commissioner in ordering the arrest of the policemen involved.

Security Minister Nelson also hailed the courage of the citizen who videotaped the incident.

"This is the refreshing kind of courage and positive attitude that we have been encouraging to bring the lawless in and out of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to book," he stressed.

The minister also welcomed news that Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington has instructed that the policemen involved in the incident be apprehended.

"Let the chips fall where they may," declared Senator Nelson.

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COMMENTS (31)

danzela chin
8/2/2010

Thank Goodness for video, or else these heartless cops would lie, as they have being doing, TWO WRONGS,DOES"NT made it right, what is wrong ? I never trusted the cops in Jamaica,and never will untill they get rid of the dirty ones!!!!!Jamaica no promblem?

Jaye Stone
8/2/2010

Our people have been looking at evil for so long that they don't see it as evil anymore. It's called survival. The justice denied them by the state, they serze for themselves, so it doesn't matter whether an alleged murderer dies from a cop's bullet or that of any other -- "him fi dead". It's the law of the jungle they live in.
Why we still gasp in disbelief at the sadist cop calmly circling his unarmed prey before he whips up the gun and fires, I can't imagine. It's been happening for years.

Everton Walker
8/2/2010

Why there are courts. I could get (let's say) 4 of my friends to accuse L. Morley or Clinton Clarke of also assisting "Chin Sing" in stabbing the woman to death. Courts provide an avenue for Morley and Grant to challenge the accusations of my four friends. The courts decide what is fact and what is just accusations. It is not for emotional police in an emotive crowd to be Judges Jurors and executioners. Even the accused policemen should have their day in court or should they be shot on sight?

Likle Wiked
8/2/2010

Jamaica, Land We Love, has become callous and barbaric, we now encourage, demand and celebrate violence. The simple main reason for this is that there are far too many “DOUNCE” in the country. The basics of life and moral values are foreign to too many. We have sunk to a new LOW. The only hope now is for more citizens,like the amateur videographer, to come forward with information that will help to convict the guilty and protect the innocent. We can't allow our country to deteriorate any further

Blue Bird
8/2/2010

The video shows clearly that the man was armed,Yes stones can be deadly weapons. Injuries are part of the job but the police are under no obligation to get themselves injured. All the man had to do was put down the stones and comply with the lawful orders of the police. The officers with the batons did absolutely nothing wrong, they were attempting to subdue a dangerous armed man. The commish over reacted to a snippet of a video. Police work of necessity at times may appear brutal to the public.

Kirk Brown
8/1/2010

I felt so badly to have seen the CCN's report as to how that man was shot when it was clear as the daylight that it happen that the man was 1. Unarmed 2. Seemed to be of an unsound mind and 3. The police are trigger happy. HOW SAFE ARE WE FROM THE HANDS OF THE POLICE,GOVERNMENT AND CRIMINALS IN THIS COUNTRY?,

Marie Hood
8/1/2010

Some of these comments are reprehensible. Anybody who condones such actions should be ashamed of themselves. The same people who were cheering on the police could ensure that Ching Sing pay for his deeds by appearing as witnesses in his trial. As a result of their testimonies he could have been put away for life or even executed by the state. We have a justice system, we need to make use of it. This is not a state that is being run by anarchy and vigilante justice.

S D
8/1/2010

According to the reports the victim was allegedly no saint, however, that does not justify the use of extreme force when the man was unarmed, on the ground and outnumbered.
No one was better in that instance, not the man who died, the police personnel or the crowd who cooed the officers to "shoot him" in the background.
It was totally unprofessional from the members of the security forces, they should be charged jointly for murder. How can we move forward with this type of justice?

L Morley
8/1/2010

Please lets not turn on the police now. If someone was living decent and not a criminal this would not happen to them. I see why the police is tempted to do this sort of stuff as the laws are so easy to manipulate and get these criminals off to commit more crimes again.
The bible says an eye for an eye, so if someone is a criminal they have no rights. Trust me, this approach works as its the best deterrent you can have.

clinton clarke
8/1/2010

i see nothing wrong with what the police officers did, all you people know to do is shout,react and codemmed,can someone for the love of God look very closely at the video and analyse step by step of the event of the man eg. what did the man do right before he was shoot by the lawman, the report by the ccn was correct u hypocrite.What r we saying to the police ,a man on the ground can't control himself take a bottle and almost blind u "officer go over to him and shake his hand & say good boy"

Truths And Rights
8/1/2010

How does a country become violent can be compared to a child who is abused and later becomes an abuser. Criminals do wrong and should be punished. However, when a criminal is punished without explaination (through the courts), they veiw society as lawless like themselves and instead of rehabiliation they become more lawless, violent and destructive. The violent state of Jamaica can be attributed to many things, the main being the lack of respect for authority because the law viewed as corrupt.

Blue Bird
8/1/2010

Man released from jail ,murdered woman,attacked members of the community and police with stones and bottles. While on the ground he was still throwing stones at the police. I did not see the police beating the man,I saw them trying to subdue him, to make the arrest. He threw two or three stones during the course of the video before he was shot. The problem is the jamaican police are not equipped with intermediate tools such as stun guns or pepper spray. Justifiable homicide,or suicide by cop.

Rob C
8/1/2010

One step fawud, two steps backwud !!!
Weed dem out, all ah dem. No protection for any of them.

Concerned Citizen
8/1/2010

This country sat and watched, commended, applauded and gave it's blessings to the security forces when they systematically gunned down dozens of unarmed citizens a couple months ago. Where were the voices of disapproval then? The hypocrisy of you all disgust me!

Nature Boy
8/1/2010

All the policemen and or women who were present at the scene are culpable. They stayed silent when the lie was reported by CCN to the rest of Jamaica. As far as I am concerned they are all accessories after the fact and should be so charged and arrested.

JA Cynic
8/1/2010

Persons need to know how to use their cell-camera more effectively to monitor police action.Take photos; take videos and submit them to media houses and put them on-line.
JA Cynic

nima allen
8/1/2010

whats the hell going on here ?
the police allowed the civilians, to let them loose dem work.

Deborah Neuman
8/1/2010

While I do find the police behaviour to be barbaric (and arrogant); I am saddened that no one is outraged that the citizens of the community present, were egging on the police officers. After he was shot, someone in the group yelled 'light him again'. No wonder these police officers thought they could have gotten away with this behaviour; they had the full support of the equally barbaric citizens who watched and encouraged the beating and shooting of the Ching Sing. Disgusting and sickening!

David Biles
8/1/2010

First, let me extend my condolences to the family of the lady that "Ching Sing" killed. Some of us feel your pain. Some of us fully support the police action in this case and stand firmly with the three officers involved.
-
It is interesting how all these comments are geared towards the so call defenceless man that was shot by the police and nothing said about the defenceless and innocent life that this thug snuff-out in a twinkle of an eye. Well, no saint was killed by the police, NEXT!

Chuck Emanuel
8/1/2010

Those who are entrusted to uphold the rule of law in any sector, or institution in this country, must be held accountable.

ric bent
8/1/2010

Unreal ! Barbaric is an understatement. Primitive, maybe. The cop clearly baited the man and shot and killed him, in the presence of kids no less. Clearly the intention was not to restrain and arrest , but to maim and ultimately kill.
This senior office on the scene should be held equally responsible, an accessory to murder.
If the man is mentally ill, as I believe, that makes it even more disturbing.
This is not what we want for police officers , this is not what we want for Jamaica!

Richie L
8/1/2010

Nothing less than conviction for these killers will please me.
.
The deceased was a criminal but so are the killer cops.
.
Police must hold themselves to a higher standard. You can't be judge, jury and executioner.
.
Arrest the criminal and let him have his day in court.
.
Richie

Xavi Singh
8/1/2010

But this just goes to show you what can happen to people during SOE when they basically have no rights and the force is really angry and pissed off. They are fired at by criminals, who then flee when they are about to be over powered, the force comes in and take out their wrath on the people(mainly) young men that remain, and threat them as criminals, when the criminals are long gone.

Xavi Singh
8/1/2010

well unfair game play twice, he killed a defenseless woman and police kill him defenseless.

Vincent White
8/1/2010

Behing every dark cloud there SHOULD be a silver lining. I wonder if this latest unveiling by technology will now bring all the force into line? If not, then they don't give a damn, and possible should not be a member of the force. One cannot now be sure what is being captured, so I guess a lot of us will begin to behave ourselves. Hey! This could be good or bad for laweyers. I wonder what defence the lawyers for these will be using? DEM MAD URHANA. True true, den dem shouldn't be ina de forc.

mike daley
8/1/2010

If JA was less corrupt I would say suspend them with pay to investigate, but in JA no way! The vigilante action of the police sadly reflects a broader attitude within the wider JA society. I don't condone it but understand that is due to ppl feeling unprotected & powerless against criminals, but the police must be held to a higher standard. If the JCF is judge, jury & executioner not even the ppl who were cheering are safe cause who will there be to protect ppl from the cops interest/bias?

Christine Crooks
8/1/2010

I could not believe what I saw. My 11 year old daughter was sitting with me as we watched the news. I have taught her to respect the police because they are their to help her. I now look like a liar. What I saw on TVJ was reprehensible. There was no professionalism displayed by the security men. The sick man killed someone but does that give these lawmen reason to treat a human being in such a manner. Have they forgotten that they are not civilians who sometimes practice jungle justice.

Wicked Wisdom
8/1/2010

Wow!! thats all i got to SAY.''

p d
8/1/2010

How many similar police killings have gone unnoticed? If this was not caught on video, would the reactions be the same or would we believe the generic report that the CCN usually put out (which always have the same wordings)? I certainly hope that the person who taped it is protected from the cronies of the police. This is why criminal activities abound in Jamaica because some police representatives perpetrate crimes even worst that the gunmen.

paul brown
8/1/2010

Since May 23rd, the police force is helping to alleviate the level of crime in the country, and now this action is taking the police force backward. The purpose of the police force is to help maintain the laws. The action by these officers is not only a blatant violation of the rights of "Ching Sing," but attack on the founding principle of the Jamaican Police Force. These officer must be condemn by all sectors of society, and must be dealt with in the sternest manner by the court.

george watson
8/1/2010

Why haven't we heard from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition?
Words from anybody else will not suffice.
We are hearing about how bad the man as if to say this is justication for his killing.
We also hear that the man was throwing stones. From his position on the ground this was merely a defence reaction as he could not have been effective with them from this suppine position.
I hope these policemen are given the full force of the law.
THEY ARE A DISGRACE

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Barbaric! - cops arrested for killing unarmed man