Hanover Woman Accuses Police Officers of Repeated Assault Over Drink Dispute

Hanover, Jamaica: Two police officers are currently under investigation following serious allegations of assault against a woman during a violent altercation at a bar in Hanover on Saturday night. The incident, reportedly sparked by a dispute over the price of a beverage, has raised concerns about police conduct and accountability.

The woman involved in the incident has accused the officers of brutally attacking her, first inside the bar and then again when she attempted to file a complaint at the Sandy Bay Police Station. According to her account, one of the officers—allegedly in full uniform—became enraged after she quoted a price for a drink they had ordered. The argument quickly escalated, with the woman claiming that the officers followed her to the shop she operates nearby, where the violence continued.

In a letter to the Commissioner of Police, attorney Donnovan Collins, who is representing the woman, detailed the harrowing sequence of events. Collins alleges that one of the policemen entered the woman’s shop, where he began choking her and punching her repeatedly. The situation further deteriorated when the officer allegedly dragged her outside, striking her in the head with a wooden stool, which caused a significant wound. While she was on the ground, Collins claims, the officer continued to kick her and choke her, leaving her bruised and battered.

After the initial attack, the woman says she sought to report the incident at the Sandy Bay Police Station, only to be met with further violence. She alleges that one of the same officers assaulted her again and forcibly removed her from the station, preventing her from filing her complaint.

Undeterred, the woman later went to the Lucea Police Station, where she successfully lodged a report of “unlawful wounding.” She provided the media with a receipt confirming the report, underscoring her determination to seek justice despite the alleged intimidation.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), Jamaica’s police oversight body, has confirmed that it has received a report on the incident and has launched an investigation. “We will be investigating,” an INDECOM spokesperson confirmed today, signaling the seriousness with which the body is treating the allegations.

The case has drawn widespread attention, with many calling for swift action to address the alleged misconduct. Attorney Donnovan Collins has called on the Commissioner of Police to take immediate steps to discipline the officers involved, emphasizing the need for accountability within the force.

The woman, who required medical treatment for her injuries, including a gash to the head and multiple bruises, is reportedly recovering but remains deeply shaken by the ordeal. The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with many residents expressing concern over the apparent abuse of power by those sworn to protect and serve.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on the authorities to see how they will handle the serious allegations against their own, amid growing demands for justice and transparency in the matter.