Philipsburg:--- The Police Internal Affairs has begun an investigation into an alleged case of police brutality against a 20 year old man who was arrested on Souliga Road on Thursday. A video of the arrest can be viewed on Facebook and Youtube. However, police spokesman Ricardo Henson said a young man identified as R.L was forcefully arrested by officers when the suspect resisted his arrest. Henson said the police department wants to make clear that they have taken notice of the case and the allegations of police brutality, thus they have initiated an internal investigation to determine exactly what happened during the arrest. Henson said the investigation has first priority not only because of the allegations of police brutality but because one of the arresting officers was seriously injured during the arrest of the suspect.
While awaiting the results of the investigation, the police department is acknowledging the fact that it does not condone "police brutality" but is reminding the general public that resisting arrest is an unlawful act.
In connection with the case in which allegations of violence and police corruption are made which has recently been publicized in the local media, the police department is stating the following. The police department has taken note of this serious case. After looking at the case so far it shows that the system works. It shows that when some-one is arrested or detained by a police officer he or she has to be brought in front of a Public prosecutor or an acting public prosecutor, who will evaluate the case and determine if there was sufficient and legal grounds to arrest or detain that person. In this case the acting public prosecutor evaluated the case and found that there were insufficient grounds to detain the individual and he was set free. A fact finding investigation by the Police Internal Affairs is ongoing in regarding other allegations that were made.