Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) officer appeared in court on Monday (19) charged with bribery offences under Cayman Islands’ anti-corruption legislation – 2 counts of corruptly obtaining cash, contrary to section 10 of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008 and 2 counts of breach of trust, contrary to section 13 of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008. The officer was arrested on Wed (14) on suspicion of soliciting a bribe and breach of trust (under sections 10 and 13 of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008 respectively).

The officer was named in Summary Court as Elvis Ebanks from George Town.

Ebanks is accused of extracting a $500 bribe from a Filipino national in exchange for not investigating how he came into possession of a phone that belonged to a third party.

Prosecuting counsel told the court the incident took place earlier this month shortly after the owner of the missing phone discovered it was in the possession of the complainant. Police Constable Ebanks investigated the report, and the suspect, a Filipino, handed the phone over and it was returned to its original owner. The owner then said he did not wish to proceed with the matter.

The court heard that Ebanks drove away with the Filipino in his car and attempted to intimidate him into giving him money in exchange for not going further with the investigation. He told the Filipino he could face a jail sentence of at least ten years. The victim is alleged to have given Ebanks $140 cash and arranged to meet again.

The Filipino immediately complained to the RCIPS.

In a recorded call by the police it was learnt Ebanks arranged to meet the Filipino at the Countryside Village shopping plaza in Newlands where he was to bring $500 in cash and hand it to Ebanks.

When they met it was recorded on CCTV and after the money was handed over RCIPS officers stopped Ebanks from leaving and he was arrested.

Ebanks, who is now suspended from duty, denied the allegations and claimed at a police interview the money he reportedly took from the complainant was a loan.

Ebanks was released from custody after his court appearance and was bailed to appear before the Grand Court on 30 November.