WESTERN BUREAU

Three policemen from the Cambridge Police Station, who were facing extortion charges, had the case against them dismissed after the complainant in the matter expressed that he had no further interest in the case.

When the matter was mentioned in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court it was endorsed on the records that no evidence would be offered against Corporal Glenroy Thomas, 39, Constable Michael Mendez, 28, and Constable Burt Reynolds, 33, as an affidavit from the complainant, who is living in the United States, clearly stated that he did not have a desire to pursue the case.

The policemen were arrested and charged in April after a ruling by the Director of Public Prosecutions and were all granted $150,000 bail with stringent conditions. They were accused of extorting US$200 and J$4,000 from the complainant. The matter was also set for trial but it did not proceed.

SHOTS WERE FIRED

Allegations were that the policemen were on patrol in Cambridge on April 4 this year when they received reports that shots were being fired. Further allegations are that they carried out certain investigations and, as a result, a car, in which the complainant was travelling, was stopped. During questioning, the complainant, who is an ex-policeman who lives abroad, admitted to the accused policemen that he was on his way to renew the licence for his firearm and had discharged the weapon in an open lot as a means of ensuring it was in working order.

It is further alleged that the policemen told him that they would charge him for discharging the firearm within 40 feet of the main road. However it is alleged that the accused cops took the complainant to an orange field in Montpelier where he was forced to hand over US$200 and J$4,000 to the officers. He subsequently made a report to the Cambridge police.

Later the same day when the trio returned to the station, it is alleged that a district constable spoke to them. Thomas allegedly handed over US$140 and $8000 to the DC. Under caution Reynolds and Thomas allegedly said nothing, however, Mendez denied having knowledge of the incident.