Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
A FULL report on the alleged beating of a woman in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, on Wednesday, by two senior members of the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF), is expected on the desk of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller by noon today.
The Prime Minister, who also has portfolio responsibility for women's affairs, had written to Acting Police Commissioner Jevene Bent, requesting a report on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Her request came after a photograph was publicised, depicting what appeared to be a brawl involving two officers in khaki uniform and a woman with her hands in the air. One of the officers had a baton in the air, with the other hand pulling at the woman's skirt.
A section of the Prime Minister's letter to the police commissioner said "the police should not be flogging women."
Mrs. Simpson Miller said she expects the necessary action to be taken.
Contacted yesterday, Acting Commissioner Bent said such an incident would be investigated by the Professional Standards Branch (PSB), which is headed by Assistant Commissioner Novelette Grant.
"We have already commenced an investigation into the matter," ACP Grant told The Gleaner yesterday.
According to a statement last night from the Office of the Commissioner of Police, PSB investigators have already interviewed and processed the complainant in the matter.
"The investigation will be treated as a matter of urgency by the JCF," the statement read. "Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas, who is off the island on official police business, has been fully briefed on the matter."
RESISTING ARREST
In the meantime, Deputy Commandant Neville George of the ISCF has denied that the woman, Margaret Ferguson-Berry, was beaten by the ISCF members. He said Mrs. Berry has since been charged with resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and indecent exposure. She was offered $20,000 station bail.
Dep. Commandant George said that, based on reports, ISCF personnel were carrying out routine checks when Mrs. Berry objected and attacked the police.
It has, however, been alleged that a car, suspected to be an illegal taxi was stopped by the police, who began beating the driver of the vehicle. Mrs. Berry intervened and she too was beaten by the police.
