Manchester family alleges excessive use of force by police to quell dispute

By Nakinskie Robinson   

 

A family is alleging excessive use of force by the police after the authorities were summoned to intervene in a family dispute in Greenvale, Hatfield, Manchester.

 

The incident, which happened Thursday, left a father and his son calling for justice.

 

Christopher Swaby, who said he was physically confronted by three officers at his home, had visible bruises and scars on his arm.

 

Recounting the incident to Radio Jamaica News, he said his father's broken rear windshield, for which none of his family members could give an account, resulted in him saying if it had been his vehicle, he would burn down the house down, if he did not get any answers.

 

Christopher, who subsequently left, was called back after three lawmen arrived at the home. 

 

"Them seh dem hear seh mi threaten mi cousin wid gun and supm. Suh mi seh 'Me wid gun? See mi parents dem deh. Dem did deh deh when dem hear mi talk.' The policeman seh 'Shut up yuh effing mouth, bwoy. A eediot yuh tek police fah?' So mi seh 'No bossy, mi nah tek no police fi nuh eediot.'

 

"So him seh him aguh lock mi up. Mi seh 'Weh yuh aguh lock mi up for?' Him seh 'Weh yah seh to police, bwoy?' Den dem pull di door, start thump mi up inna mi face, squeeze me out, have the handcuff pon mi and a wring it til it swell. Di next one pull di backdoor, grab mi by mi neck, and start thump me up inna mi eye," he alleged.  

 

He also showed Radio Jamaica News an eye injury allegedly inflicted by one of the officers.

 

To make matters worse, Christopher said he had to resort to using his six-year-old son to stop the assault. 

 

"Di man thump mi more than seven time inna mi face man, cause to how him hold mi inna mi neck and mi nah leggo mi baby. The next likkle one yah now, the passenger police, if mi never have mi baby inna mi hand, him woulda use the [M]16 lick mi inna mi face."  

 

Christopher's father, Basil Swaby, claimed one officer used the butt of his gun to hit the child while he was in his father's arms.

 

The older Swaby also claimed the police attempted to pepperspray Christopher.

 

He urged the authorities to "look into the matter" and hold the lawmen accountable. 

 

Christopher said he filed a report Monday morning with the Independent Commission of Investigations.

 

But Superintendent Shane McCalla, head of the Manchester Police, said he is not aware of the incident.

 

Superintendent McCalla added that a formal report has not been made to the police, therefore, an investigation cannot be launched.