A Jamaican police constable charged in connection with the alleged assault of a man during an arrest has agreed to pay J$100,000 in compensation.
The agreement involving Constable Keemo Powell was reached in the St Catherine Parish Court on Tuesday. The compensation is expected to be paid in three instalments.
The case stems from a motor vehicle crash on December 31, 2023, near the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine. According to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), the complainant alleged that he was assaulted while being apprehended following the crash.
INDECOM said investigators obtained video footage during their investigation. The complainant was also charged with several traffic offences arising from the incident and later pleaded guilty to those offences.
Following INDECOM’s investigation, the matter was referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The ODPP ruled that Powell should be charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was subsequently brought before the St Catherine Parish Court by summons on June 18, 2026.
The case is scheduled to return to court on January 9, 2027, when the court is expected to confirm that the compensation has been paid in full and address the resolution of the matter.
Note: The charge against Powell should not be treated as a conviction.
