Daredevil cabbie a repeat offender; cops under probe for warning shots

The unlicensed taxi operator nabbed after taking several passengers on a daredevil ride Monday in a bid to elude the police is reportedly a repeat traffic offender who had more than a dozen unpaid tickets.

Jamoy ‘Massive’ Pusey, 26, was cornered in the mountains along Mannings Hill Road with at least seven passengers, including a child in uniform.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake, who heads the operations portfolio, told The Gleaner that Pusey, who reportedly has 19 unpaid traffic tickets, was arrested and charged by investigators Tuesday with various road traffic offences.

Commissioner of Police Antony Anderson, in a terse response during a press conference Tuesday, appeared to defend the decision of the cops to persist in chasing the cabbie, even though force policy discourages pursuits because of the risk to passengers and other motorists.

“Just to add to that we do chase vehicles, when required,” said the police chief in response to a question from The Gleaner.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) said it has commenced a probe into the discharge of a firearm.

The police appeared to have fired warning shots, causing the driver to finally end the chase.

“The weapons of the police officers have been submitted to the laboratory for testing and other investigative lines of enquiry are being undertaken,” INDECOM said in a media statement.

The approximately 10-minute chase, which was captured on amateur video, began in Half-Way Tree and wended its way on to Roehampton Drive where passengers could be heard screaming for their lives as Pusey made his getaway.

Several vehicles were damaged and a motorcyclist was hit from his bike as Pusey sought to elude the police in pursuit.

INDECOM, the oversight body that probes claims of abuse and excessive use of force by law-enforcement personnel, denounced the actions of motorists who intentionally place the lives of passengers, as well as other vehicle operators, at risk.

Such actions, according to INDECOM, are reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous.

INDECOM said that law-enforcement officers should display due regard and comply with the guidance provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force in its Human Rights and Police Use of Force and Firearms Policy.

The watchdog reiterated that the discharging a weapon by police personnel should always be viewed as the deployment of deadly force. It said that the potential for serious harm is increased, especially amid movement.

“In 2019, INDECOM reported on compliance with use-of-force policies and referenced that though use-of-force policies caution against firing at vehicles and the use of warning shots, they are two operational practices which still persist,” the state agency noted.

Blake declined to comment on queries of whether the police actions of chasing and firing warning shots contravened Force Orders relating to chasing and firing warning shots.

“I know that the matter is under investigation by INDECOM. When I spoke to the commanding officer this morning (Tuesday), I was still not in receipt of full details of the incident, so I would not want to speculate at this point until I have more information,” Blake said.

Monday’s incident brought into retrospect the deadly May 29, 2012, crash that claimed the life of 15-year-old Ascot High student Lennox Lloyd in Portmore, St Catherine.

The controversial incident surrounded an alleged early-morning chase as a minibus driver tried to elude a Transport Authority team.

Lennox and several other students reportedly heading to school were aboard the minibus, which plied the Naggo Head to Spanish Town route, when, on reaching the vicinity of the Portmore HEART Academy and Portmore Town Centre, the driver was signalled to stop by personnel from the Transport Authority.

The driver allegedly sped off and a chase, which has been disputed by the police, ensued.

The bus turned off route to West Trade Way in the vicinity of the Maxie Department Store where it crashed into an embankment and overturned.

The driver and conductor fled the scene but later turned themselves into the police. The driver was charged.

The Policy states that:

​​“firearms will NOT be discharged at a vehicle; simply because it failed to stop for a signal at a road check, or to immobilise the vehicle.”

“Police should not fire warning shots. There are risks associated with the firing of such shots, which have the potential to cause unintentional death or injury. They may also lead a subject or other officer to believe that they are under fire”

Members of the JCF will not, in normal circumstances, fire at or from moving vehicles, unless the circumstances are such where the life of an officer or member of the public is at risk.