Antigua Police Face Backlash Over Alleged Mistreatment of Elderly Man
An 82-year-old man in Antigua and Barbuda has alleged he was mistreated by police officers over the weekend, sparking public outrage.
Stedman “Scottie” Scotland claims he was forcibly removed from a barber shop, handcuffed, and thrown into the back of a police vehicle. The incident coincided with the announcement that Police Commissioner Rodney would step down to take up a role as Deputy Director of the Regional Security System (RSS) in Barbados.
Scotland recounted the ordeal in an interview with George Wehner on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Confrontation with Plainclothes Officer
Scotland said he had parked in a private area when a man in plainclothes opened his car door without explanation. When Scotland asked for police identification, the man refused.
“I told him I’d provide my driver’s license, but he wouldn’t show me his ID,” Scotland said.
He claimed that when he attempted to start his car, the officer physically prevented him. Fearing for his safety, he left the vehicle and entered a nearby barber shop. Moments later, uniformed officers arrived.
Allegations of Excessive Force
According to Scotland, the officers demanded he leave the barber’s chair. When he refused, he alleges they pulled him out, pushed him to the ground, and stepped on his back before handcuffing him.
“They hit me in the head and threw me into the back of a police vehicle like cargo,” he told Wehner. “I was in pain, crying out.”
Scotland, who previously worked as a driver for the U.S. Embassy and later for individuals with disabilities, expressed disbelief at his treatment. He also disclosed that he had recently undergone brain surgery.
“To be treated this way after all my years of service is disgraceful,” he said.
VIDEO INTERVIEW BY GEORGE WEHNER
Public Outcry and Calls for Investigation
Footage of the incident has circulated online, fueling calls for an investigation.
Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations. Scotland, meanwhile, has called for greater accountability and professional conduct within the police force.
“God is good, and He will deal with them,” he said.
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What u mean by claimed y’all didn’t see the video come on 😭😔😔 when this shit start the others will follow put a leach on those po po
A crying shame!!!
The police should lose his job over this!
Where’s the accountability? We need answers from the police!
Shameful behavior! The officers involved must be investigated.
Imagine treating an 82-year-old like this. Disgusting!
Scottie deserves justice. The silence from authorities is deafening.
@Nigel. What is a leach?🤔
This is why people don’t trust law enforcement.
Let’s wait for the full story before jumping to conclusions.
If he refused to comply, what were officers supposed to do?
Everyone wants police protection until they don’t like how it looks
There’s always two sides to a story—let’s hear the police version.
Wicked an heartless wherees the family for this man to sue them dnt worry papa they won’t live to see your age because God dnt like ugly
Police brutality has no place in a civilized society.
O! What a rogue and peasant scene is this, where honour lies bound in iron chains, and justice doth falter ‘neath the heavy hand of men sworn to uphold it. Hath mercy fled from their hearts, that an aged man be cast as refuse upon the cobbled streets? Verily, the measure of a kingdom is in how it tenders the frail. Speak, ye in power, lest silence be thy shame!
Yea I saw yall beat up a rasta man from Swetes at transport board like that too, he planned to take legal action and died shortly after so I don’t trust some of you police at all. No humanity no conscience. I bet if it was one of Cutie’s or Gaston’s children yall would look the other way yall very selective with who you enforce laws on..bunch of unprofessional pricks
Old man, teenager, obey the law or suffer the consequences! You age does NOT excuse lawlessness. What message are you spreading? Tell Wehner that the law applies to all in equal doses, it does not excuse old people or teenagers. Second lesson: You can’t be wrong and strong at the same time. So while you enjoy your time in the spotlight, don’t allow the likes of Wehner lead you down a wrong path believing that you were an innocent victim in all this. You may win , for the moment, the applause and empathy, but you risk eroding the many who stood in your corner. Some intelligent jurists cry that the Police could have simply issued a ticket. What if you had simply complied with the policeman’s directives. No, old man, you are no longer a hero in my eyes.
HE ASKED TO SEE THE OFFICERS ID WHILE TRYING TO COMPLY. HE NEVER RAISE HIS HAND TO THE POLICE. HE WAS DIRECTLY ROUGHED UP, PUSHED FACE FIRST ON THE GROUND WITH THE OFFICERS FOOT ON HIS BACK AND THEN BEHIND HIS HEAD. THIS IS AN INDIGENOUS 82 YEAR OLD MAN WHO WAS MISTREATED BY A “30 SOMETHING” YEAR OLD “V-I-N-C-E-N-T-I-A-N” POLICE!!! 60% OF THE POLICE FORCE ARE NON ANTIGUANS, HENCE SINCE WE ARE NOT “THEIR PEOPLE” THEY DONT GIVE A 💩 HOW THE TREAT US. NOW I WANT TO KNOW WHAT “THE TOP DAWG” PM IS GOING TO SAY ABOUT THIS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN HIS POPPA!! ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THIS! DEM LUCKY THE OLD MAN ANNA SOMEBODY FO ME!!!!! ARE YOU HEAR ME??!!!
Kmft sometimes best to not talk what you all dnt know at times kmt mi sick u all how yu go justify the shit they did to an old man what side a story could ever give reason to beat him it’s fuckery
There was no need for the police to have any interaction with this man. He was parked in a private space and the police had no idea if he was given permission to park there. Even if the police felt he shouldn’t be parked there, all he needed to do was ask him to move his car. A simple questionable parking violation escalated into an assault and battery by the police. Then they turned around and concoct a story blaming the victim.
The police himself stated that he prevented him from leaving but taking out the keys from the car. That stinging mouth officer wanted to make trouble for NO REASON. They are state sponsored TERRORISTS overstepping their authority. And the corrupt system they work for upholds there despicable and unlawful behaviours. They can’t solved real crimes but they are great at killing and brutalizing innocent people. They don’t deserve any RESPECT. Respect is earned and they behaviours are more like criminals that peace officers.
BLISS IN PROFESSIONAL IGNORANCE: …GROSS RECKLESSNESS: … GRAVELY STUPID
Firstly, it shall be frankly said that which was video-taped and that which was explained in this ‘…ANR NEWS STORY,’ speaks to an officer of over ‘…30-YEARS SERVICE,’ yet seemed to be:
(i) ‘…BLISS IN PROFESSIONAL IGNORANCE:
(ii) …GROSS RECKLESSNESS: and
(iii) …GRAVELY STUPID.’
***
HERE’S WHY:
(i) …NO PARKING VIOLATION IS ARRESTABLE.’
Such has been totally eliminated by the:
(a) ‘….VEHICLE AND ROAD TRAFFIC (Enforcement and Administration) ACT’ CHAPTER 461: REVISED EDITION 1992: LAWS OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA].
(ii) …THIS ACT CALLS FOR:
(a) … THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE: and
(b) …A SPECIFIED FIXED PENALTY.’
***
(iii) …SHOULD A MOTORIST BE SATISFIED THAT HE/SHE COMMITTED A PARKING VIOLATION, HE/SHE HAS ONE OF TWO OPTIONS.
***
OPTION NO: 1:
‘…Attend the Magistrate’s Court’ and pay the ‘…FIXED PENALTY TO THE MAGISTRATE’S CLERK (Administrative- No appearance to answer offence): and
OPTION NO: 2
‘…Be guided by the date specified on the ‘…NOTICE,’ which as the Law clearly specifies are:
(a) ‘…COMPLAINT WITHOUT OATH: and
(b) …A SUMMONS’ (ENFORCEMENT- Motorist ‘…SHALL’ attend in person to answer the Complaint made by the ‘…TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER’ as written in ‘…NOTICE’).
***
PROCEDURE:
(iii) ‘…OFFICER WILL BE CALLED TO THE WITNESS STAND TO GIVE EVIDENCE ON THE TRAFFIC VIOLATION: …DATE: …TIME: …RELATED PARTICULARS.’
(iv) …SHOULD PRIMA FACIE CASE BE MADE OUT, THEN MOTORIST IS CALLED UPON TO GO ON HIS/HER DEFENCE:
(v) …SHOULD COURT BELIEVE POLICE OFFICER, THEN IT WILL CONVICT:
(vi) …SHOULD COURT BELIEVE MOTORIST, THEN IT WILL DISMISS COMPLAINT: and
(vii) …MOTORIST WALK FREE.’
***
IT IS THIS EASY TO FOR BOTH MOTORIST AND POLICE OFFICER TO UNDERSTAND.
***
APOLOGY: …YES, APOLOGY:
***
THE COMMENTER RETIRED, LEAVING ‘…CORPORAL D. G,’ INCIDENTALLY, ‘…VINCENTIAN COUNTERPART’ IN THE POLICE SERVICE.’
…DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME ‘…STUPID VINCIES.’
…BUT HONESTLY, DO NOT THINK THE COMMENTER,’ WAS SO ‘…GRAVELY STUPID.’
***
TWO FACTUAL THINGS:
(i) ‘…Stating boldly and fearlessly, one Cannot really take the ‘…VINCIE’ out of any man/woman: and
(ii) …ONE CANNOT EASILY ELIMINATE ‘…STUPIDITY’ FROM ONE’S BRAIN.
***
NATURAL JUSTICE:
EVEN SO, GUIDED BY ‘…NATURAL JUSTICE,’ , A ‘…GRAVELY STUPID POLICE OFFICER’ COULD BE REQUIRED TO DEMIT OFFICE FORTHWITH IN THE ‘…PUBLIC INTEREST’ [Police Discipline: Section 11 (b): Police Act: Chapter 330].
***
THUS, TO:
(i) ‘… THE DISTRAUGHT FAMILY: and
(ii) …THE OUTRAGED CITIZENRY,’
A SINCERE OPEN ‘…PUBLIC APOLOGY.’
***
WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS, IT IS FOLLY TO BE WISE.
***
*Than*
You see this thing where police do this thing, if it was in st croix that police would have to consider the harm his children and girl friend can suffer as retribution, they are conflating police service with dictatorship gangsterism, but that show they are not academically fit for the job they only know physical activity, there is some Antiguan police that was good at talking to people and come to an amicable solution that are retired now, and sometimes I see him joyfully going to the west bus station to play warrie game daily is because of the good relationship he had with the people, this vincentian police don’t have no tie to the country to respect us, and since the coming of ALP to power, cutie has systematically push the Antiguan aside and allow the foreigners police to take over import rolls to maintain loyalty and secrecy to ALP, there will never be justice, sometimes you gotta think rational, when the police tear gas you are advantage you, we know who they are, just go straight Infront their home to pocket.
You see this thing where police do this thing, if it was in st croix that police would have to consider the harm his children and girl friend can suffer as retribution, they are conflating police service with dictatorship gangsterism, but that show they are not academically fit for the job they only know physical activity, there is some Antiguan police that was good at talking to people and come to an amicable solution that are retired now, and sometimes I see him joyfully going to the west bus station to play warrie game daily is because of the good relationship he had with the people, this vincentian police don’t have no tie to the country to respect us, and since the coming of ALP to power, cutie has systematically push the Antiguan aside and allow the foreigners police to take over import rolls to maintain loyalty and secrecy to ALP, there will never be justice, sometimes you gotta think rational, when the police tear gas you are advantage you, we know who they are, just go straight Infront their home to picket.
Deport that police man back to St.Vincent. Too many FN foreign police inna Antigua. And they don’t have any compassion or empathy towards Antiguans. The one Caribbean shit nar work where police are concerned. Antiguans needs to form a black panther organization like what was in the US tthat countered white police brutality.
So we missed the part where the UN-UNIFORMED officer refused to show identification but wanted to make an arrest ?? The country sick nfk that’s why bad things won’t stop come to Antigua and Y obey so strong.
If that police man is not dealt w hell go bruk loose.
Faithful national the old man was of no threat to the officer for him to deal with him in that manner you too wicked.
On another note Obeah go take all are you just like what Ticks got. So those responsible for missing persons, the robbers, killers, rapist your day is near.
@faithful national #1 it should’ve been you and let’s see if you would still say the same thing y’all acting like they like y’all and they don’t but whatever
Goodness Scottie who has transported so many differently abled persons who had no other means of getting around. Nah man.
Even if it wasn’t Scottie, who does this, whio does this?
Not even if it were a 28year instead of 82 year old man, why could another right-thinking human do what the world saw in that video? Even if that so-called policeman was subjected to an element of erratic talk from Mr. Scotland, who does this ? ? Even if the victim is just downright obstinate, who does this?
Makes one wonder if this is how dementia patients are handled by law enforcement if found wandering? No wonder some have disappeared without a trace.
You could have just issued a parking ticket. There was absolutely no reason for this kind of excessive force.
Come on ppl, what do you expect from a set of people whose initial role was to recapture runaway slaves? These people aren’t there to protect us; they’re there to fulfill the agenda of the higher ups while boosting their shallow egos on the fact that they can have people as they like. This is their strategy – attack, then claim that the victim were belligerent or otherwise uncooperative, thereby being able to lay charges as well (double whammy). Their actions will always be justified because they are police – and we ordinary civilians will always be guilty until proven innocent. The police here are hoggish, disrespectful, lazy, incompetent and lack real crime fighting skills. They can’t solve any actual crimes because all they know is how to strong arm us ordinary black folk. I guess this elderly man was more of a threat to society than the actual killers and thieves in this country that are walking free with their heads high. Give me a break!
@Lil Bo Peep…
I see, that you understand, the missions of the slave catcher Order and its ties and significance to law enforcement/the judiciary.
I’ve commented in this forum on several occasions, after reading and getting the vibes from several incidents regarding law enforcement and some personal contact which I’ve had with some of them; that, to some degree their behavior and tactics are very similar to those of law enforcement officers who were members of the KKK – Klu Klux Klan. This is not to say, that the entire RPFAB is a Chapter of the KKK – Klu Klux Klan 👻 but, there appears to be some aspects of their training, indoctrination, hazing that exhibits traits of discrimination and abuse.
Let’s see what actions are taken by those at the helm; and yes, two wrongs don’t make a situation right but placing someone who’s been arrested, regardless of their age, in the trunk of a vehicle is a new one for me. It’s down right DESPICABLE. It’s ABUSIVE. It’s a SHAME & DISGRACE.
If such treatment was meted out to a [pink] tourist, the Nation’s Governor General to the Prime Minister, the entire CABINET and the INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR CORP would be on every Social Media Platform, every print media every streaming network APOLOGISING until they’re out of breath.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
George Wehner, you must learn to shut the f*ck up sometimes.
The man’s story stands as is, you don’t have to be putting your own opinion in.
We saw the video, let the man talk.
Goddamn.