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published: Thursday | November 2, 2006 <DIV class=KonaBody>
Glenroy Sinclair, Senior Crime Reporter
Superintendent Ezra Stewart of the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) yesterday executed a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kent Pantry, by arresting and charging one of his colleagues, Special Constable Floyd Schloss, who was attached to Black River Police Station in St. Elizabeth.
"He appeared in the Black River Resident Magistrate's Court and was offered bail in the sum of $400,000," said head of the BSI, Acting Assistant Commissioner Granville Gause.
The 33-year-old Special Constable was charged with wounding with intent and corruptly obtaining $30,000. The charges arose from an incident which occurred on October 18. Allegations are that Constable Schloss and another man went to a ganja field in St. Elizabeth, where a number of persons were observed working.
It is alleged that he shouted out 'police' and the people working in the ganja field fled. The accused reportedly fired a shot and one of the farmers was hit in the leg.
Farmer told to lie
Statements collected by the BSI suggested that Constable Schloss took the farmer to hospital in his private motor car and, while on the way to seek medical attention, he requested of the farmer that he not disclose how he was injured.
"The statement said that the constable asked the farmer to report that he was robbed and shot by two gunmen," said ACP Gause.
Further allegations are that, while at the hospital, one of the farmer's relatives visited him, in the presence of the constable. Reports are that the constable later demanded $40,000 from the relative and threatened to lock up the farmer, if he did not receive the money. He was given $30,000, according to reports.
A report was later made and the BSI called in to investigate the matter. This is one of the 1,513 cases the BSI has successfully investigated over the past six years. At the moment, the office has 1,141 incomplete cases.</DIV>
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