A Barbados police officer has been given a suspended prison term for dangerous driving that resulted in the death of a 74-year-old church deacon during an emergency response call. Station Sergeant Troy Small was convicted of causing the death of Denzil Allman in a December 2021 collision on Black Rock Main Road.
Justice Pamela Beckles delivered a two-year suspended sentence after carefully weighing the circumstances of the case. The judicial ruling acknowledged that Small was responding to an urgent police report but found his driving created “a very significant risk of danger to others.”
The court heard that Small was traveling at approximately 106 kilometers per hour in a 60 km/h zone when he proceeded through a red light at a junction. Justice Beckles noted the officer assumed other drivers would hear his siren and see flashing beacons despite visual obstructions in the area, an assumption that “cost Mr. Allman his life.”
The judge emphasized that no sentence could alleviate the tragedy experienced by Allman’s family but stressed the importance of accountability. “You were a police officer in the execution of your duties who, however, committed a dangerous act which resulted in the death of Mr Allman and you must be held accountable for that,” Justice Beckles stated.
Mitigating factors included Small’s immediate medical assistance to the victim after the crash, his cooperation with investigators, previously clean driving record, genuine remorse, and a pre-sentence report indicating low reoffending risk. The judge distinguished traffic offenses from violent crimes, noting those who commit dangerous driving offenses resulting in death are unlikely to repeat them.
The case was deemed exceptional due to the officer’s professional role during the incident, though the court maintained that emergency responders must balance urgent duties with public safety considerations.