Ex-special sergeant caught

Forty-year-old ex-Special Sergeant Emelio West has been arrested by members of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) after eluding the police for several months.

West left the island last year after tendering his resignation and before a warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to an act of corruption.

In a release last night, Karl Angell, director of communication for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, said West returned to the island recently and was held last Thursday in a sting operation conducted by the ACB.

"The ex-policeman was charged for assisting an act of corruption committed in December 2009, involving a businesswoman from whom he allegedly corruptly accepted an undetermined sum of money," Angell said. "This was in connection to a matter which was being investigated by one of his colleagues."

According to Angell, a report was made to the ACB and an investigation was carried out. The file was then submitted to Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn who ruled that West be charged.

West appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday and was granted bail in the sum of $500,000 with two sureties.

A stop order was placed on him at all ports of entry. The ex-special sergeant must also report to the Waterford Police Station daily. He returns to court on February 24 when the case will again be mentioned.