Suspended RCIPS officer, Rabe Welcome, was found guilty last Thursday (28) by jury of wounding after he broke the arm of Adolphus Myrie as he executed an arrest while off duty in 2009.Mr. Myrie also received cuts to his face.

The trial took four days before Justice Alex Henderson.

The assault took place at Red Bay Esso gas station on Shamrock Road when Welcome was with two other off-duty officers at the gas station. Myrie was placed under arrest by the officers in the early hours of the morning on suspicion of threatening violence and possession of an offensive weapon – a machete. Myrie was released by police without charge.

One of the other two off duty officers was also charged with brutality along with Welcome but his case was dismissed by a magistrate following a successful ‘no case’ submission by his attorney in summary court in 2010. The other officer present was eliminated from the police enquiry at an early stage.

After the verdict, Deputy RCIPS Commissioner, Anthony Ennis, said, “Although there are occasions when officers do find themselves in situations where the use of force is necessary, they must be able to justify that the use of force was justified and proportionate to the circumstances at the time.

“As police officers we are sworn to uphold the laws and the guilty verdicts reached by the jury is a reminder that police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable if they act outside of their lawful authority. Unfortunately the actions of a few can blight the reputation of the many honest, hardworking and committed officers within the Service. We will continue to work diligently to maintain the highest professional standards within the RCIPS.”