Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has ruled that no criminal charge be laid against the police officers accused of abuse in relation to Nzinga King, the rastafarian woman who claimed that a cop cut her locks, while she was in police custody, in Clarendon.
Miss Llewellyn said after reviewing the matter, there were several inconsistencies in the claims made by King, and that her claims were not supported by other persons interviewed.
The DPP has indicated that Ms King can pursue civil remedies in the matter.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) outlined that, following the news of the trimming of rastafarian woman, miss Nzinga Candace King, while in police custody at the Four Paths police station lock-up in Clarendon on July 22, 2021, the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) commenced its probe into allegations of assault and unprofessional conduct.
On completing its investigation, a file was submitted to the (ODPP) on November 12, 2021, seeking a ruling.
The matter was assigned to a capable team and after extensive legal research and consultations, several recommendations were arrived at.
The DPP ruled that no criminal charge be laid against the female police officer, in respect of allegations made by Ms. King involving the removal of her hair.
The DPP said this decision concurs with the Indecom’s finding on the issue.
Another ruling is that no criminal charge be laid against the male police officer, pertaining to allegations involving assault occasioning bodily harm, concerning the arrest of Ms. King, for failing to wear a mask in public, disorderly conduct and abusive language.
Again, the DPP’s decision concurred with the Indecom’s finding on the issue.
The DPP’s ruling does not prevent Ms. King from pursuing civil remedies in relation to her complaint.
The civil standard of proof is on a balance of probabilities, which is lower than the criminal standard, being proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Further, the DPP made no recommendation, in respect of any possible investigation regarding Ms. King, and the offence of creating public mischief.
Ms Llewellyn said her office is aware that the police have primacy of decision making regarding any investigation and the laying of charges.
As such, it is a matter entirely for them, if they believe there is sufficient basis to pursue this line of investigation against ms. King, and they may choose to do so, or not.
The DPP said it also concurred with Indecom, that there should be a departmental enquiry into any possibly observed administrative breaches, pertaining to any failure by the police, to make the relevant records that they had been obliged to do, at the material time that Ms. King was detained at Four Paths police station.
The prosecutor also concurred with Indecom, that Ms. King should be afforded professional counseling, and strongly recommended that this course be pursued by her family, and any competent authority.
The DPP’s ruling was sent to Indecom Commissioner Hugh Faulkner, and after consultation, it was agreed, in the interest of transparency, to make the decision public.