FIVE POLICEMEN have been removed from front-line duty following demonstrations by residents of Bog Walk, east central St. Catherine, over the police killing of a train gate operator there on Saturday night.
The dead man has been identified as Linton Rodney, 37, of Bog Walk.
The Constabulary Communication Network reported that about 7:30, a police party went to Bog Walk and were pursuing several men suspected to have been involved in a robbery in Portmore, south St. Catherine on Friday night, when the incident occurred.
According to the report, the suspects, armed with handguns, were seen near the train line, getting out of a car. When they saw the police, the CCN said, the men opened fire and the police fired back. Rodney, who operated the gate at the train crossing, and one of the gunmen, were later found with gunshot wounds. They were taken to the Linstead Hospital where Rodney was pronounced dead and the gunman was treated and then taken into custody by the police. Police said that another gunman was held later.
However, residents protesting the police shooting of Rodney, mounted roadblocks along the Bog Walk main road and bypass on Saturday night and again yesterday morning.
The roadblocks were cleared after the residents were addressed by Supt. Clifford Blake, head of the St. Catherine North Police Division.
Three of the five policemen removed from front-line duty are from the Greater Portmore station and other two are from the Spanish Town station.
Police said the names of the men held in connection with the incidents have been withheld to facilitate the investigation.
The Gleaner's Spanish Town Correspondent quoted a policeman at the Spanish Town police station as saying that the police killing of Rodney was a clear case of mistaken identity.
"I can't say more, but I'm very sad because I know the man," said the policeman, who asked not to be identified.
K.D. Knight, Member of Parliament for St. Catherine East Central, who visited the area, said the incident was "most unfortunate", adding that it was "a clear case of mistaken identity." He urged the residents to be calm as the Bureau of Special Investigation carried out its investigation. Mr. Knight said he has discussed the matter with Deputy Commissioner T.G. Johnson, and he looked forward to a speedy resolution.
