August 7, 2024
UPP Women’s Forum condemns cop’s manhandling
of female partygoer
The recent video clip of a senior police officer throwing a female fete patron to the ground
has sparked the outrage of the United Progressive Party’s Women’s Forum, which is calling
on Commissioner Atlee Rodney for an explanation and an apology.
Carnival in Antigua and Barbuda is acknowledged as a time of revelry that often leads to
excess. With no official prevention policies or penalties in place these many decades, the
Police surely must be used to behaviour that stems from the abuse of alcohol and other
substances at these events. Accordingly, the public expects that the Police – as enforcers of
law and order – would be trained to defuse such situations and appropriately handle
persons affected by behaviour-altering substances.
It cannot be acceptable that such measures would include the brutal mishandling that was
witnessed by many and subsequently viewed by thousands.
The woman, who was not armed with any weapon, was viciously shoved to the ground,
with her head landing dangerously close to what appears to be a concrete kerb. This is not
the type of service and protection the festival needs, and it certainly does nothing to
enhance the security of women in public or private spaces.
At a time when women are feeling particularly vulnerable – in the wake of too many
unsolved break-ins that resulted in rapes and robberies – the action taken against this
female patron only reinforces the concern that the protection of the law is not being
sufficiently extended to women.
Unless such behaviour has become an accepted norm within the Force, we call on
Commissioner Rodney to initiate a full investigation into this disturbing incident and to
share the findings and outcomes with the public.
-EN
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
This is laughable. What do you expect the cops to do pray with her? She resisted arrest at that point its game on using reasonable force to get her under control?
Even when she was surrendered by 4 huge police officers she was still kicking, ranting, and raving it and it had nothing to do with the background music.
I personally know of a female who was manhandled by a male police for protecting herself by wearing her mask.Today she is left with a bruised arm
I also condemned the officers treatment towards the young lady. Obviously his emotions got the best of him however, we are a country of laws, and so we need to act accordingly whenever the officers give directives.
Now on the other hand, where was your voice & POWA’s voice when Lady Maria the PM’s wife was publically humiliated by one of your ardent supporters along with the former Min of Agriculture Samantha Marshall who was publically humiliated by one of your parliamentarian on his radio talk show?
Hypocrisy is one the main reason why the people of Antigua do not & will not allow you to return to be the government. UPP do things when it is only convenient them…. SMH!!
Blah blah blah…This is just political party stuff….She was a drunk who could not control herself….He is a big dumb ass who prob had a drink or two himself then thought he could detain a disorderly wasted young lady all by himself and lost his temper….His colleagues who were busy watching pampalam acted too late and I blame them more than anything…..
UNDER PRESSURE: …EXPLANATION: …APOLOGY: …INVESTIGATION
Commissioner Atlee Rodney QPM is now ‘…Under Pressure’ to investigate a clearly sordid incident that have engulfed the populace.
The forum or medium used in bring pressure upon the the ‘…Police Leadership,’ is absolutely correct.
WG: SCHIZOPHRENICALLY CONFUSED…?
Even so, this ‘…Women’s Group (WG)’ appears ‘..Schizophrenically Confused.’
WHY…?:
Likened to a ‘Bird’ hurriedly building a ‘Nest,’ and seemingly in order of ‘…PRIORITY, it has called for:
(i) ‘…An Explanation:
(ii) …An Apology [Paragraph 1]: then
(iii) …An Investigation [Paragraph 6].’
NOW:
Backwardly, the ‘…WG’ wants ‘…Explanation and Apology’ before ‘…Investigation.’
OFFICIAL CLOSURE
That which the ‘WG’ shall know, is that giving ‘…Explanation and Apology’ necessarily means ‘…OFFICAL CLOSURE.’ This does not negative ‘…LITIGIOUS COMPENSATORY’ proceedings.
MIXED-UP ORDER
Why has the ‘WG,’ in ‘…MIXED-UP ORDER,’ simply called for these, without a call for ‘…PUNITIVE ACTION’ against the clearly:
(a) ‘…Unprofessional:
(b) …Extremely Brutal: and
(c) …Gravely and grossly obnoxious behavior by an overly officious Police Inspector.’
DISCERNING SPIRIT
Has not the ‘WG’ a ‘…..Discerning Spirit’ to see that the behavior of this ‘…INSPECTOR OF POLICE,’ is consistent with that which constitutes either:
(i) ‘…A SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENCE: as well as
(ii) …The ‘…PUNISHABLE DISCIPLINARY OFFENCE,’ called as ‘…DISCREDITABLE CONDUCT.’
CRIMINALITY AND INDISCIPLINE
Professionally, the conduct exhibited in the ‘…VIDEO’ by this, ‘…said to be: ‘…POLICE COURT PROSECUTOR,’ speaks to ‘…VIOLENCE,’ taken to level of ‘…Criminality and Indiscipline.’
Professionally, that no ‘…EFFECTIVE’ Commissioner of Police, including ‘…Serving Commissioner of Police, Atlee Rodney QPM, shall be perceived as:
(a) ‘…Condoning:
(b) …Encouraging: nor
(c) …Allowing the despicable conduct and reputationally-tarnished act, to go unpunished.’
LEGAL PROCEDURE
The ‘…Legal Procedure’ is quite clear. It states:
‘WHEN:
(i) ‘…A Report:
(ii) …Allegation: or
(iii) …Complaint’ is ‘…RECEIVED’ by the Commissioner of Police, from which it appears:
(a) ‘…That a member of the Force may have committed an offence:
(b) …The matter shall be referred to an Investigating officer: who
(c) …Shall cause it to be investigated’ [Police Discipline: Section 4: Chapter 330: Volume 12].
IMPORTANT
A ‘…FORMAL COMPLAINT’ SHALL BE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER.
FEAR NOT:
THE ‘…BRUTALIZED AGGRIEVED’ may contact the author at TEL:- 463-6333.’
FEEL THE PAIN: …FEEL THE SPIRIT
I shake my head at the bises on both sides of the divide. We are supposed to be pointing out force and excessive force! It matters not who is orange, red or blue! She was drunk and uncontrollable? What makes you think excessive force which can result in concussion or serious permanent brain trauma is the suction other problem? Discipline her? Yes! Abuse her? No! Let’s make it personal.what if we’re you or a close relative? How would you have loved to be treated?
This condemning of the police might be warranted as we would prefer that human beings (not just females) are handled with some sense of humane approach albeit arresting them is appropriate.
When citizens do not pose a threat to the society or law enforcement, there should be any need for aggression by the police, especially when there are no weapons detected.
Where I have an issue though, is the inclusion of women’s vulnerability as it relates to rapes and burglaries in the article. What does that have to do with is matter?
The police are not the ones committing the crime. So, to suggest that police’s actions or reactions to disorderly conduct by a female is somehow condemnable, based on the existing crimes on the island is farfetched.
Therefore, to the writer(s) of this article; please stay focused when putting out statements to the public as your arguments will become less noteworthy when you deviate from the topic at hand.
Some of these POLICE officers need to be removed from the force they are not there to serve the ppl
but to put MONEY in their pockets n ABUSE the laws bc they call police. What they did to the lady was wrong. She was intoxicated. That means she will do everything wrong.how should you as a officers handle the matter.u all didn’t do. That trying to ket POLICE offers get away with doing wrong it will escalate into something bigger next time.
awaiting the UPP/P.O.W.A condemnation of the death of TESSA BARTHLEY and her UNBORN CHILD!
Once again, my commentary was not posted.
so wait! This “Women’s” Forum is afraid to tell the WOMAN CHAIRMAN that SHE. IS. THE. PROBLEM. why the UPP in shambles?????
Woman afraid to tell another WOMAN that she is wrong? It was in this same WOMAN Forum that the HBIC posted the message INSTRUCTING the women to support Brother Lovell instead of richard because SHE don’t want any JAMAICAN WOMAN in Antigua sudden.
Woman I tell ya…..A WOMAN is another WOMAN’s worst enemy
One police officer pushed down one woman. Let’s not rush to crucify the entire force just yet. The head said they will investigate. Let’s see how timely and fair it is before getting hysterical.
About the break-ins, contractors need to think about redesigning how they build houses, apartments and other dwellings to increase safety. Perhaps more female input is needed. Each place should have at least two exits in case of fire. That way windows can be chosen that don’t allow intruders to climb in or people can put decorative burglar bars on. Houses can also be built elevated enough to make climbing in difficult.
Apart from safety, dwellings should be designed to match the living conditions of the country e.g. Antigua has droughts and hurricanes but houses and apartments are built as though we have 24/7 water. There should be laundry areas that allow for both hand and machine washing comfortably. Most people rightly don’t use electric dryers. So, there should be lines for drying both outside and inside for when rain falls and a couple of items need to hang inside for a while.
There should be fenced yards for kids to play in.
Townhomes with both a little front and backyard should be built instead of single entrance apartments so that households can have a little private yard space to sit outside, entertain guests, dry clothes, grow a few veggies etc. Women’s groups should do more to improve housing for women and children.
Comments are closed.