Investigations continue into complaints of police officers failing to act when a local photographer was being assaulted downtown.
At the International Bazaar, a wrecker was attempting to tow a SUV when he noticed that the rear of the vehicle was dragging.
The wrecker driver got out of his vehicle and began to “shimmy” the door of the SUV to release the vehicle’s emergency brakes.
Franklyn Ferguson, a freelance photographer, was in the area and photographed the driver attempting to open the SUV.
On seeing the photographer, the man reportedly threatened Mr Ferguson’s life in front of a number of officers and attempted to take his camera.
According to Mr Ferguson he was pushed against a wall while the man demanded the film from his camera. Mr Ferguson said four police officers watched and laughed.
“I was told by number 2744 to call the commissioner of police, because there is nothing he can do.
“Now I can say I somewhat agree with him, because I reported various officers in the past, and to my amazement one was promoted.”
Mr Ferguson said he did not report the incident to Police Commissioner Paul Farqharson as it appeared to be a “waste of time” to do so. He said he made his decision because of the boldness and arrogance of some of the officers, which made him believe that nothing would come of his complaint.
It is reported that Mr Leonard Archer; Bahamian High Commissioner to CARICOM, witnessed the incident. Mr Ferguson, claimed that it was only when police recognised Mr Archer that they instructed the wrecker driver to leave him alone.
Chief Superintendent of Police Hulan Hanna said he would encourage Mr Ferguson to officially report the matter. He said no officer should stand by and watch such an incident unfold.
“For those officers who stood by and saw, according to what you are reporting, an assault and
battery take place in their presence and did not do anything about it, then I am encouraging – the photographer to go to the Complaints Unit with whatever information he has and to make a formal complaint.
“No officer ought to behave like that. No officer ought to stand up and watch a citizen being, assaulted by another citizen with out taking the appropriate police action,” Mr Hanna said.
Source: The Tribune
