CoP refers ‘rogue’ rider arrest to ombudsman

| 06/04/2020 | 38 Comments
Cayman News Service
Rogue rider arrested on Saturday, 4 April

(CNS): Police Commissioner Derek Byrne revealed at Sunday’s press briefing that an arrest made by his officers has been referred to the ombudsman for investigation. The arrest was made on Saturday, 4 April, following a high-speed chase of one of five ‘rogue’ dirt bike riders. Byrne said that during a time like this, when the police have been given heightened powers and where there is a public concern that this has been abused, it should be independently investigated.

Video circulated this weekend showing an aggressive take-down of a rider who had already crashed his bike at the police road block in Newlands. One officer forced the suspect into the ground while a number of other officers rushed to the scene.

But the commissioner said this person was one of five motorcycle riders who were spotted performing stunts and driving recklessly on Shamrock Road on Saturday afternoon during the soft curfew. Police units were dispatched to the area and, supported by the helicopter, pursued all the riders.

However, the riders then dispersed in different directions. One of them ended up in Newlands, where he was the subject of that aggressive arrest. Another was pursued but crashed and escaped on foot, but the officers know who he is and he will be arrested, the commissioner said. Both men will be prosecuted for traffic offenses as well as breach of curfew.

CoP Byrne said the behaviour of the riders was dangerous and absolutely reckless, however the arrest would be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation.

“With that said, during a time when police have heightened powers… we do need independent oversight and for that very reasons I am communicating with the ombudsman and will refer to the ombudsman for an independent investigation. I think it is appropriate in the circumstances,” he said.

Aside from this incident, Byrne continues to report that there is currently very little crime, that breaches of the hard curfew are few and far between and the number of people running essential errands during the daytime soft curfew is being well managed.

He confirmed that swimming is still allowed during the soft curfew under the 90-minute outdoor exercise allowance, but only two people are allowed together and everyone must observe the social distancing rule of six feet. It must also take place between 6am and 6pm.

Premier Alden McLaughlin revealed that line fishing, under strict adherence to all the social distancing protocols, will be allowed from the shore or dock during that 90 minute exercise allowance.

He said the fishing issue is something that the government continues to grapple with because of the cultural importance. But allowing people to fish on the ocean from boats would really challenge police resources and would be open to serious abuse.

See the video of the rogue riders as well as the press briefing on CIGTV, set to start with the police commissioner’s contribution, below:


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Category: Crime, Health, Health Insurance, Police

Comments (38)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Can someone post a link to the video please. the video on CNS and the only one I can find on YouTube does not show any use of a a baton or the interaction with the lady mentioned here. there must be another clip I haven’t seen.

  2. Anonymous says:

    *Ombudsperson

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  3. anonymoose says:

    he was squealing, not because of the officer but because he licked his leg and was in pain from that – the officer was just trying to stop the punk from getting away – good on you RCIPS

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  4. Anonymous says:

    This morning we were awoken to the drone of compressors for a very much “non-essential” mobile car wash in the Regatta Office Park, where the RCIPS have taken up as the “new” West Bay station. Police cars and private vehicles appeared to be congregating socially and lining up for cleaning in front of at least a half dozen uniformed police officers. Part of the public respect problem is having continuously alternative rules for themselves and membership.

    CNS: If this is happening, can someone take a picture?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t ‘mind bending the rules for front line essential services during a time like this. They are putting their own health (and their families) at risk dealing with the public every day.

      Quit your belly aching

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    • Anonymous says:

      There’s a very good chance that rather than just being detailed, the vehicles are being cleaned to be sanitized. Police cars are used by multiple officers with many potential transfer points.

      As for private vehicles, they may well be the rental SUVs and cars that are supplementing the patrol cars.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Why would anyone want to punish the police for arresting an uncaring, lawless, spoilt brat that have no consideration for his fellow humans and no regard or desire to obey the law. The Police should still be sitting on him. Maximum penalty and confiscation of the bike a must. It may save his or someone else’s life. Can we not also arrest the parents they know what he is doing they enables his type of behavior and disrespect for the neighborhood.

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  6. JFT39 says:

    Please don’t promote or forward any links to the Sun newspaper. It is the worst of the red-top lie rags in the UK and deserves no support whatsoever.

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  7. BTC is King says:

    Unfortunately this is what today’s society has arrived to…where criminals sometimes have more rights than police constables. It’s a waste of taxpayer money and resources. But what does one expect in this day and age?

    We do the same in other areas. In school, we molly-coddle the unrepentant vagabonds who ruin the learning for the other 20+ students in the classroom. We provide them with more help than a NASA astronaut, their own personal specialty teachers, psychologists and social workers, often with little benefit to show. They abuse the help they receive, they abuse their helpers, and then they abuse society when they grow up.

    Today’s society learns from the Kardashians rather than from the parents, teachers, or the elderly. Tying one’s shoe laces by grade 5 is rewarded with trophies, medals, and citations. Soon enough the Queen will be handing out knighthoods for those able to stand up and chew gum at the same time. Everyone is special, everyone is a winner, and the smallest of achievements are praised to the highest of Heavens. We build up our kids with a heightened false sense of achievement and entitlement. The entitlement culture surrounds us all and threatens to drown us.

    In this great age of acceptance, everyone is offended. At no point in time has society been more tolerant than it is now, yet we’re more unsatisfied and offended than ever. Police men are police constables, manholes are utility holes or maintenance covers, stewardesses are air attendants, she is He, He is she, and they is Z. Not that I personally have a problem with it, though I do wonder how come everyone is still up in arms about everything…

    We reward stupidity and kids soak it up like sponges. The trashier, immoral, brainless, and plain stupid a tv show is, the more popular… Yet stations trying to impart the love of science, history, and the arts are struggling. Music has moved from Beethoven, Mozart, Liszt and the likes to “I’m gonna rape and F yo Ni*** Momma Stupid a$$ Bit#$ Ho right in the rear Endo, and yo sista too”… You’re allowed to say those words, and play those words all over the airways, because that’s culture. But call someone at work or at school a harmless name, and the thought police is ready to ruin your life, destroy your family and slap you with all kinds of tags for life. The lovely thought police that we now have all to contend with. Political correctness run amok.

    CC4

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  8. M McLaughlin says:

    Ombudsman? The punk broke the law by failing to obey a lawful order. He’s lucky he has the RCIPS to contend with, dog would eat his supper elsewhere!

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    • Anonymous says:

      The boy had a choice. He clearly knew of the consequences of making a poor decision. That is why he went on the run.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    In the UK they’d have rammed him –

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10975805/moped-thugs-rammed-off-streets-police-london/

    Where I come from in the UK we had a problem with unlicensed motorbikes like this. When the police didn’t want to get involved we tackled it ourselves – I think that’s what RCIPS are trying to avoid because it gets messy.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Job well done RCIPS!

    Running from the police is an offence in itself.

    These young people feel like they are above the law.

    If they were in the United States – they would be treated a lot more aggressive, by the police.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    There was another idle loser doing wheelies on an unlicensed dirtbike today on Fairbanks road.

    This has been going on too long. Lock up these idiots and crush their bikes. Period.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Green and white dirt bike. Almost daily Fairbanks rd, Walkers rd and Windsor Park. The bike is housed in Windsor Park

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      • Anonymous says:

        I suspect that is the same young man who regularly entertains the students of John Gray by speeding and performing tricks at the back of the school.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Until some @$$hole that is saying this was brutality child gets run over by one of these stupid moron idle BOYS on these dumb bikes then they should stfu

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  12. Anonymous says:

    There was no need to blindside the motorcyclist. How far is he going to run on a 2 x 4 piece of rock.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Well, he’d run quite a ways already. Maybe the police should have fixed him a sandwich and some nice sweet tea.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Listen to the video. He clapped front brakes by surprise of the officer, lost traction on the front and, slid and fell. Officer then jumped on top to maintain custody. No clotheslines.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Whilst I have no sympathy for the young man concerned, I am a little disturbed by the police officer apparently striking him whilst he is on the ground after falling from the bike, and the same officer screaming at the female driver of the car irrespective of what she may have said or done. He does not look like he is in control of his emotions at the time, and using his authority accordingly. By all meas arrest the young man, and even the woman if he feels she is interfering or in breach of curfew, but losing your sh*t like that as a police officer brings the force into disrepute. I can see why the COP referred this.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You are the reason kids behave like this. No respect. Hope you have no kids to continue the cycle.

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        • Anonymous says:

          I would comment on how much of an idiot you are, but the number of thumbs down to your comment say it all.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You’re an idiot and part of the problem.

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    • Anonymous says:

      in the states he would have been shot dead…. to protect the innocent people he was putting in danger.
      this guy is a total waste of existence

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Public concern? I think that’s a euphemism for several idiots on social media screaming police brutality when in fact the real issue is that the people defending these riders and trying to scream foul are usually related to the brainless wonders on these bikes, and share a similar view on things like how laws shouldn’t apply to them and their brethren.

    Investigation should vindicate the police actions, and hopefully pave the way for more arrests.

    #dumbasslife345

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  14. Anonymous says:

    No need to refer this in my view. The guy on the bike deserves no sympathy for anything that happened. The police did the right thing.
    These stupid idiots deserve to be stopped no matter what it takes – they’ll have no one to blame but themselves

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  15. Anonymous says:

    I trust her review is considering which of the Queen’s honours should be bestowed upon this local hero.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    I have little sympathy for the person arrested, but am grateful for due process in a democratic society.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    I am pretty certain everyone except these hooligans Mothers and fellow idiotic bikers welcome the RCIPS intervention and arrests. The way they were driving, and we have all seen them, it is only a matter of time before some innocent child or person gets killed. Aggressive take down? Nah…guy trying to run away and you got to stop him. Reasonable force in my opinion, is more than warranted here. Make them tell you who the rest are and arrest their sorry asses too! At least 6 months for the curfew offenses I hope. Another 6 for the motor one.

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