Antigua : A violent scuffle between police and a teenager in Heritage Quay, that resulted in the teenager crashing through a glass door and was reportedly witnessed by scores of camera snapping cruise tourists, is to be the subject of an internal police investigation.
Police PRO Sergeant William Holder said the incident – which occurred near the Heritage Hotel in Heritage Quay around 10 am – would be looked into.
“Some internal investigations will have to be conducted. Those persons who are eyewitness may be asked to provide their account,” said Holder.
“Investigations will be launched into whether the police acted in a manner they should have not.
“Incidents like these will not be left unnoticed. Things like that we do not encourage, regardless of how much a nuisance that person is, everyone should be treated in a humane way,” he added.
Holder said the young man involved in the scuffle is known for peddling goods in the area without permission. The youth was approached by the police but attempted to flee. It was then that the scuffle ensued. He was later arrested.
An eyewitness recalled the incident to OBSERVER Radio’s Voice of the People yesterday.
“There is young guy about 15 years old who comes constantly in Heritage Quay and sells his popcorn. I understand the police officers have warned him but it’s a young guy and he not doing any harm,” said the eyewitness.
“This (Wednesday) morning all of us in Heritage Quay, there are three boats (cruise ships) in, so there are (many) visitors on the ground. The police got into a scuffle with this young guy and I saw this police guy haul this young man and run him into a glass door and cut him up so bad,” he added.
“I believe that they should arrest that police guy…I can’t understand, you are a police officer and you get into a scuffle with a young guy and you are going to push (him) into a glass door.”
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