I was drawn to a newspaper article about Paul Brown whose Greater Portmore home was badly damaged by a mystery cop who crashed into it weeks ago, totalled the unmarked police car and fled the scene. I want to wish Brown good luck in getting redress for his unfortunate losses.

Our constabulary is divided. The genuine police force consists of hard-working, decent, law abiding human beings. The other police force is a law unto itself; it's made up of cliques that lie, steal, obstruct and falsify documents to protect the wrongs that they do. They use their power and privileges for selfish ends. Thankfully, they're the minority.

I experienced this 'other' police force first-hand at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2004. I encountered a knave who personified the antithesis of what an officer of the law should represent. He was driving an unmarked police car (a white Toyota Corolla) with an expired (2003) licensed disc. He disobeyed a two-way stop sign, struck my pickup in the left rear end and sent it airborne as it almost overturned and spun 180 degrees. I never uttered a word to him yet he became aggressive, boisterous and lied repeatedly about the circumstances of the crash. He said that he had stopped; that I was speeding, lost control, hit him and tried to drive away!

He was treated like a king by his fellow officers at the traffic office. And, although he refused to exchange documents, they demanded mine and handed them over to him. I watched helplessly as he meticulously transcribed them into his personal notebook. I had to ascertain his identity surreptitiously. I was without the use of that vehicle for five long months while he simply parked the badly wrecked Corolla (paid for with tax dollars) and walked away scot-free. Whatever became of it remains a state secret.

Plaintiff letters

I wrote numerous plaintiff letters to the police hierarchy and all the relevant departments. And, in spite of the many hours, money and energy wasted going to and fro; this man was never reprimanded or prosecuted. You and I (lowly civilians) would have been charged with disobeying a stop sign, operating an unlicensed vehicle and with dangerous driving. Instead, this cop was promoted - from inspector of police to deputy superintendent - and retired with full benefits.

After four years, the government eventually sent me a 'Release and Discharge' document offering a settlement of $159,521.59 (significantly eroded by inflation). I haven't signed it because it requires that I acknowledge the receipt of the money (in the presence of a Justice of the Peace), many indeterminable months before the cheque is prepared. Shockingly, our government's top lawyers obstinately insist that this antiquated, illegal document must remain uncorrected.

I had to withstand the gruff remarks of a haughty police sergeant and insist on my rights to learn that the case was closed because the 'record' showed that the lawbreaker apologised to me and that I accepted it! Thanks to existing corruption, conspiracy and complicity, justice was thwarted - as usual.

Many citizens don't trust the police because it's easy for rogues to operate above the law within a secretive, lumbering and compromised system urgently in need of serious overhauling. This is why so many people have no respect for our protectors and/or hate them passionately. Crime receives a boost every time errant police are allowed to get away with their misdeeds.

So, good luck Mr Brown - you have a long, arduous and frustrating road ahead of you.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.