Constable who pepper-sprayed ex-cop freed

Gaynor Harrison, the police constable who pepper-sprayed a retired senior policeman during a traffic stop on Molynes Road in St Andrew in 2019, has been acquitted.

The retired Deputy Superintendent of Police Altamorth 'Parro' Campbell was pepper-sprayed after he disobeyed the constable's directive to exit his vehicle to be arrested.

His son, who was in the passenger seat, was also pepper-sprayed.

The exchange between Campbell and the constable was captured in an amateur cellphone video.

The cop was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a recommendation by INDECOM on May 14, 2020.

However, Harrison, who has been on suspension since the incident, was freed Friday afternoon following submissions by his attorney Vincent Wellesley.

During the trial in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Wellesley submitted that his client acted in self-defence and in accordance with the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act.

Wellesley argued that his client did not commit an offence based on the circumstances, explaining that the cop was attempting to arrest a motorist who committed several breaches of the Road Traffic Act.

Presiding judge, Nathalie Ebanks-Miller, prior to handing down her ruling, pointed out that the Crown failed to establish that the cop intentionally or recklessly assaulted both complainants.

The judge said the incident occurred in the execution of the policeman's duties.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.