Man Charged After Allegedly Posing as Police Officer in St Catherine

A 27-year-old man has been charged by the Spanish Town police in St Catherine following allegations that he impersonated a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The accused has been identified as Alex Murray, a contractor from the Time and Patience district in the parish.

Reports from the police indicate that about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, information was received about a man who visited a school claiming to be a police officer while asking for a female teacher. His behaviour raised concerns among staff members, who alerted the authorities.

A police team was dispatched to the location; however, the individual had already left the area.

Subsequent investigations led officers to the vehicle the suspect was travelling in, which was later intercepted. At the time, he was reportedly dressed in a black polo shirt displaying a police insignia.

Investigators say the man identified himself as a police officer and claimed to be attached to the former Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC). He allegedly told officers that his identification card had been left at home and provided what he said was a regulation number, suggesting that verification could be made through the unit.

Further questioning reportedly revealed inconsistencies in his account, and he was taken into custody.

Police checks later confirmed that Murray is employed as a contractor with a telecommunications company.

A search of his residence reportedly uncovered clothing similar to those worn by plainclothes police personnel.

Following a question-and-answer session conducted on March 17, Murray was formally charged.