Another Bahamian citizen has come forward claiming to be the latest victim of what may signal an increase in police brutality.
Struggling on crutches, Mr. Trevor Cartwright has filed a complaint with the Crime and Corruption Unit of The Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Mr. Cartwright was driving his motorbike near Parkgate and Kemp Roads when another vehicle pulled in front of him. As he swerved to avoid a collision a white bus drove into him and knocked him off his motorbike.
Occupants of the Jeep, dressed in DEU (Drug Enforcement Unit) outfits jumped out of the vehicle and allegedly assulted Mr. Cartwright.
The men laid him on the ground and “stomped” him on the back while verbally abusing him.
This incident is similar to a complaint lodged by 33 year old Earl Meadows in June.
Mr. Meadows said he was accosted by police in front of his home on Miami Street and taken away in a police bus where he was gunbutted, kicked and punched by officers, who later released him onto the streets with a black eye and bruises about the body.
Perry Newton, officer in charge of the Police Crime and Corruption unit said both matters are “under investigation”. Many citizens feel there is little, if any action ever taken against corrupt police officers.
Mr. Newton defended the behaviour of the majority of police officers by reminding reporters that the ten crimes reported in the first half of this year involved only a small percentage of the 3,000 plus police officers in The Bahamas.
