WEST KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for West Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, says he was pepper-sprayed by a police officer on Tuesday morning while attempting to calm angry residents following a police shooting in the constituency.
The incident unfolded shortly before 7:00 a.m. after a police shooting sparked tension in the community. Residents accused law enforcement officers of using excessive force, although police have not yet released details surrounding the shooting.
Speaking with Nationwide News, McKenzie said he visited the area to help defuse the situation and encourage residents to remain calm.
“When I came, the community was very upset because they are saying men who were going to work were abused by the police,” he said.
According to McKenzie, he urged residents to allow the police to continue their operation before walking to Spanish Town Road to speak with a senior officer.
While there, he said a crowd began gathering and tensions escalated.
“This young lady said something. I don’t know what she said to the police, but the police attempted to hold her. She ran behind me,” McKenzie recalled.
The veteran parliamentarian said he intervened, asking the officer to stop, but was instead sprayed with pepper spray.
“I said to the policeman, ‘Hold on,’ and the policeman proceeded to pepper-spray me,” McKenzie said.
Videos circulating on social media show persons at the scene assisting the Member of Parliament by rinsing his eyes with water and milk after the incident.
McKenzie, who also serves as Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said the officer later offered to take him to hospital, but he declined.
He expressed disappointment over the incident, noting the traditionally positive relationship between the police and residents of West Kingston.
“We have had a very good relationship with the police here in West Kingston… But an incident like this this morning is not something I can tolerate or condone,” he said.
“You pepper-sprayed me as an ordinary Jamaican. Don’t think about me as a Member of Parliament or because of who I am. If I did something, you had a right to pepper-spray me, and there was no need for the police to use pepper spray.”
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has been notified of the police shooting and has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The condition of the individual shot by police has not yet been disclosed.
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