RCIPS silent on CoP probe
(CNS): Almost twelve weeks after the Cayman Islands commissioner of police, driving his own car, ran over a fleeing suspect and caused significant injury, there are still no results from the internal police enquiry. The RCIPS has remained silent regarding the investigation into whether or not CoP David Baines used excessive force when he arrested robbery suspect Jonathan Ramoon, using his car to stop him. Although CNS has seen documentation stating that Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis is conducting the enquiry, he has denied being in charge of the probe. Meanwhile, neither Ramoon nor any of his family members have been contacted regarding the status of the enquiry.
There are also other indications that the police did not follow the letter of the law from the start of the enquiry.
In a response to a freedom of information request made by CNS about the protocols surrounding procedure when any police officer is involved in a road incident of any kind, the RCIPS said that since and including New Year’s Day two police officers have been involved in collisions. However, only one was submitted to a breath test, even though the law requires all drivers must be tested for alcohol if they are driving and involved in an accident of any kind where someone is injured.
The police said that of the two officers involved in crashes since the start of 2014, including New Year’s Day, only one was tested and only one suspended. Sources told CNS that the officer who was tested produced a negative result, but it is that officer who is suspended from duty and not the commissioner, who has remained in post since the ongoing enquiry began and who, it is understood, did not take a breath test after he ran over the fleeing suspect.
Ramoon, who remained in hospital for several weeks as a result of serious injuries to both legs, hip, upper body and arm, was eventually brought before the courts on a gurney. But neither he nor any of his family members have been given any indication about the results of the probe into the arrest.
In an incredible coincidence, the commissioner was parked nearby at the time of the robbery at Diamond’s International. Baines has stated that he was off duty and waiting to meet a friend who was on a cruise ship, which is why he was right by the jewellery store.
Having seen the suspects fleeing from the store, he went after them, crashing into the getaway car. The men then got out and began running away on foot, but the commissioner continued after them in his car, pinning two up against a fence and running completely over the third. It took emergency services some two hours to free Ramoon, who is still in a wheelchair. The incident, for which the commissioner was lauded a hero by the community, came just hours after the announcement that he had received an MBE for his services to local policing, having been in the job just a few years.
One of the men allegedly involved in the heist was a major police suspect in a number of crimes and it is understood the RCIPS were keeping close tabs on him. All three men remain in custody but as a result of a number of legal issues, they have yet to officially answer the charges against them.
Despite requests for an update, police officials have also remained very quiet regarding the independent enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Police Constable Raphael Williams (45). His body was found hanging in the woods in East End the weekend after he was released from custody following his arrest in connection with corruption allegations.
Baines is said to have ordered an independent review of the circumstances surrounding that arrest and the subsequent death of the officer, which was undertaken by officers from the Bermuda Police Service, who came to Cayman in January. Those officers have already left Cayman but so far the details of their findings remain under wraps.
Category: Crime
what a bunch of BS, excessive force? Back in the good old days when I was growing up as a kid, you stepped out of line you got popped by whatever adult was around, much less your parents. Guess how many times I made the same mistake? I wont say zero, but it was VERY infrequently. Case in point, you know how you don't get a buss'ass, don't rob no body! I can tell you I've been beaten up by police all of no times, why…..you get the point. I agree with some of the other comments on here, pick Cayman, you want crime to end, then make criminals afraid, otherwise shut the hell up and take what ya get.
While I don't have any specific reason to think that Mr. Enis will conduct an independent investigation this incident demonstrates why there is a need for a civilian oversight committee to provide oversight of the RCIPS and to look into these types of situations.
CNS note: The first paragraph was amended after Mr Ennis informed us he was not, in fact, conducting the investigation, as the documentation we had seen indicated. However, we were unable to find out who actually is.
Why isn't the commissioner on required leave during the investigation?
This is all going to be settled outside of the courts, civilly. The Commissioner did use eccessive force and everyone k nowns this apart from WHY he did it. There is a FL case in effect now where a university student was pulled from his truck and struck by the three officers removing him, all caught on their dash cam. It is so clear and evident the officers used excessive force yet their commanding officer ruled they did nothing wrong. The Prosecutors Office however viewed the same video and cam videos from nearby establishments and concluded the officers did over react in their arrest and dropped the charges on the young man. In the officers words the young man was drunk and resisting arrest. No way. There wont be a word on this matter. The young man's family in this case in Cayman will threaten to sue and a settlement will ensue then the Commissioner will resign soon. Just watch.
Anyone know who is paying Ramoon's hospital bills?
Most likely, you and me Bobo.
I would suspect him or his family. Why should it be on the responsibility of anyone else?
As I posted at the time – not one normal protocol was observed here. The scene wasn't secured, there was no formal post accident investigation and the driver wasn't breath tested. When this goes to court it's going to be a joke and RCIPS will be sued.
This isn't about who was right or wrong at the time, it's simply about the police doing their job properly and in this case they didn't.
Only in Cayman…Where is the Governor?
Right or wrong there has to be at least the appearance of no bias…
All this $hit about transparency and good governance…Really????
Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. We want strong policing but we don’t want our hapless thugs being roughed up.
Caymanians need to decide what kind of community they want.
While Mr. Ennis may very well execute a independent investigation and draw conclusions based from fact and not from fear or favor, it begs the question as to why was there not an independent investigations done to avoid any gossip or the appeareance of any type of cover-up or a conclusion that was not based from facts and ruled upon by law. This type of strange practice is the norm when dealing with the RCIP on many incidents. We have the transportation issue with the RCIP driving cars that are falling apart, but many budgets have been made for the purchase of new motor cars and trucks. We have a Helicoptor that when questions asked on the costs and what it does for the community, it then is used to make some high media attention arrests. Then we have the CCTV that is at best not a good value for money, but when questioned, is defended by those charged with the useage of it. There was a question when it was awarded to the contractors on it being good value for money, and the same people that were overseeing the project for Government, were looking into it. There needs to be more of an independent oversight and when questions or crimes are committed and indendent body does the investigations and to report facts. There are far to many times in which the RCIP have appeared to play fast and loose with investigating or spending funds and when asked for justifications or simple answers, they are tight lipped and very close to the vest with information that should be public knowledge at some point. These incidents undermine the very relationship with the commununity that the RCIP cry that they are trying to build. While Mr. Ennis is an excellent member of the RCIP and the community, the Office of the Deputy Commissoner should not be investigating the Office and Person that you answer to directly. This puts all in at best an uncomfortable situation.
Baines did the right thing. Criminals do not deserve any protection from the law when they live outside the law!
Ah – outlawry. Well known to such modern day institutions as pre Magna Carta Britain, pre Imperial Rome and the Vikings. Glad to see The Thinker is so well read to find such excellent jurisprudence gems. Coming next – trial by combat, and witchfinding. Probably result in a higher conviction rate than our current system, and of course no embarrassing Court of Appeal decisions or judicial reviews. When do we start!
This is a conflict of interest: To have the Deputy Commissioner of Police investigate the Commissioner of Police of the same police department.
XXX I know how the system works in there. There is absolutely no way that the Deputy is going to reveal wrong doing against his boss. Where is the Ministry in all of this? They were quick to make an announcement that they had placed a number of fire officers on required leave for pictures that may or may not have been taken by them. Everyone knows that the police and all others who attend such scenses take pictures. It has been going on for years. Now we have an expat XXX and NOTHING is being done a out him. Why isn't the commissioner on required leave while his investigation is underway? That investigation should be done by an independent person chosen by the Premier and Leader of the Opposition. I call on the Ministry of Home Affairs Chief Officer, the DG and the Premier to place the commissioner on required leave immediately. If not, they are all acknowledging that serious injury to ones person XXXX is no way near as important as a picture. XXXX Come on Caymanians, wake up! I am an expat myself, but I hate to see such blantant and high level of unfairness against the locals. I am the first to acknowledge that in my job, I get treated better than the locals as well.
Yourspelling, grammar and composition tells me not to believe you.
Another xenophobic, troll out with a political/social axe to grind which is transparent to all.
Nothing more to see here, back to polishing the truck.
LOL. Because all expats have perfect British spelling, grammar and composition, of course. What an idiot.
If the Commissioner were a Caymanian you'd be calling for exactly the same thing.